Topographical display generator for ad hoc network

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a computer apparatus for displaying the topology of a timely organized ad hoc network, the apparatus including a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, an input device coupled to the processor, a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor; a communications interface coupled to the memory, a display coupled to the processor, and software copied from the computer-readable medium into the memory by the processor that, when executed, causes the processor to obtain a diagram of the network location from the input device or computer readable medium, obtain the identities of the devices comprising the network from the input device or computer readable medium, determine the communication links between the network devices, and graphically represent on the display the devices and the connection links on the diagram.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/065,160 filed on Oct. 28, 2013, which is acontinuation of, and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.12/595,995 filed on Oct. 15, 2009, which claims the benefit ofPCT/US2008/062119 filed on Apr. 30, 2008, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Application Ser. No. 60/914,938 filed on Apr. 30, 2007, each whichis expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to computer networks, and in particular agraphical user interface tool for troubleshooting wireless computernetworks and network protocols.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In certain locations, such as residential, commercial and industrialbuildings, etc., it may be desirous to monitor, control and/or collectinformation (e.g., node information) generated by one or more sensorsand/or measuring or control devices distributed throughout the location.Previous inventions have disclosed network nodes operable to wirelesslytransmit and receive its respective network node information to and froma centralized location.

However, it is believed that such a system is difficult to implement,considering low power transmission requirements and possiblydisadvantageous environmental conditions, if at least one of the networknodes is blocked, for example, by an obstacle, ambient noise,interference, etc., from transmitting or receiving its related nodeinformation.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,850,511 and 7,002,944, hereby incorporated by referenceherein, teach a timely organized wireless ad hoc network or networks toovercome these shortcomings. But, each network node in the plurality ofnetwork nodes is assigned only one time slot during the time-slottedcommunications interval. Such a network does not provide for the networknode to report more information than can fit within an assigned timeslot and does not provide advantageous error handling.

Traditional networks are static, i.e., the relationship between variousnodes are established when the network is designed and rarely changesthereafter. However, in an ad hoc network, such as Intech 21's wirelessad hoc network, communications paths between nodes are often dynamic. Anetwork administrator may wish to monitor and troubleshoot suchnetworks.

Thus, there is a need to automatically generate diagrams illustrating ina topographical fashion the relationship between various nodes in suchtimely organized ad hoc networks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a topographical display generator for adhoc network.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a computer apparatuscomprising a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, an inputdevice coupled to the processor, a radio frequency transceiver coupledto the processor; a communications interface coupled to the memory, adisplay coupled to the processor, and software copied from thecomputer-readable medium into the memory by the processor that, whenexecuted, causes the processor to obtain a diagram of the networklocation from the input device or computer readable medium, obtain theidentities of the devices comprising the network from the input deviceor computer readable medium, determine the communication links betweenthe network devices, and graphically represent on the display thedevices and the connection links on the diagram.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of illustrating the present invention, there is shownin the drawings a form which is presently preferred, it being understoodhowever, that the invention is not limited to the precise form shown bythe drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first exemplary ad hoc wireless networkaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary data collection cycle according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3a is a block diagram of an exemplary network node having anoptional media-independent communication link interface according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 3b is a block diagram of an exemplary access point according to thepresent invention with an optional second media independentcommunication link;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second exemplary ad hoc wireless networkaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the second exemplary ad hoc wirelessnetwork of FIG. 4, in which an access point transmits acknowledgmentand/or command information to a network node;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary data packet structure according tothe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary data structure of bytes 4-9 of aBCDP data packet;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary data structure of bytes 4-9 of aNNDP data packet according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exemplary data structure of bytes 4-9 of a CDPdata packet according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of the operational sequence of an exemplarynetwork node according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an exemplary data packet processingsequence according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an exemplary sequence for processing datapackets addressed to a network node according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of an exemplary transmit sequence according tothe present invention;

FIGS. 14a through 14l are a series of block diagrams showing anoperational sequence of a third exemplary ad hoc wireless network uponpower up;

FIGS. 15a through 15e are diagrams showing an exemplary dynamicself-routing protocol according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 shows an example timely-organized ad hoc network having multipleaccess points, according to the present invention;

FIG. 17a shows an operational flow of BCDP transmission in a multipleaccess point, timely organized ad hoc network according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 17b shows an operational sequence of a single access point during abroadcast time interval;

FIGS. 18a through 18i show an example timely organized ad hoc wirelessnetwork having multiple access points according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 shows an example of a main data collection cycle and severalsupplementary data collection cycles that extend the random access timeslotted time interval according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 shows multiple exemplary timely organized ad hoc networksincluding network nodes having soft dependencies;

FIG. 21 shows an operational flow for data communication during a datacollection cycle where one or more nodes can be assigned more than onetime slot according to the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating basic hardware components of acomputer system that presents a topographical display generator for anad hoc network.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are diagrams illustrating displays generated by thecomputer system. FIG. 23A is a two dimensional diagram and FIG. 23B is athree dimensional diagram for one floor in a building.

FIG. 24 is an example three dimensional display generated by thecomputer system in one embodiment of the invention showing the variousrooms on several floors/levels of a structure/building.

FIGS. 25A and 25 B are to dimensional displays representing thecommunication links in an example network from data obtained from apacket sniffer or load file. FIG. 25A shows a lobby and five additionalfloors and FIG. 25B shows two floors in an enlarged view. In FIG. 25B,for example, the highlighted routing poly-line indicates that thewireless device “2430” with hierarchical level “4” communicates withwireless device “2402” with hierarchical level “3” which communicateswith wireless device “2780” with hierarchical level“2” whichcommunicates with the access point “2068”. The access point hierarchicallevel equals 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is seen a first exemplary ad hoc wirelessnetwork 100 according to the present invention. Wireless network 100includes a plurality of network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110n, some which are media independent network nodes (110 a and 110 n), atleast one access point 120, a local server (with database) 130communicatively coupled to the access point 120, media independentcommunication link 135 communicatively coupling media independentnetwork nodes, an internal network 145 and an external network 140communicatively coupled to the local server (with database) 130, adevice radio 160 communicatively coupled to at least one of the networknodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, and a central server (withdatabase) 150 communicatively coupled to the external network 140.Wireless ad hoc network 100 may be used, for example, to communicatenode information within or outside a structure, such as an apartmentbuilding, a house, an office building, a residential building, acommercial building, an industrial building, etc.

The local server (with database) 130 includes a workstation, whichexecutes specific software algorithms for monitoring and controllingdevices connected to at least one of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110c, . . . , 110 n or to the device radio 160. The local server (withdatabase) 130 collects and stores information and presents theinformation to a user connected to the same local network 145, forexample, an Intranet.

The at least one access point 120 is the final destination of nodeinformation transmitted by one or more of the network nodes 110 a, 110b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n. The node information may be received from ortransmitted to one or more sensors, measuring and control devices (notshown), and may include, for example, the temperature of a room,lighting conditions of a room, energy usage, smoke and CO detector data,elevator(s) conditions, door activation data, heating ventilation andair conditioning (HVAC) system parameters and controls, pressure data,vibration data, etc.

The device radio 160 functions similarly to at least one of the networknodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, except that the device radio160 is battery powered and does not participate in network routing. Forthis purpose, the device radio 160 is configured to communicate with atleast one network node during the random access time interval (orspecially assigned time interval), after which the device radio may, forexample, enter a “sleep mode” to conserve energy.

The central server (with database) 150 is responsible for collectinginformation from at least one local server, as well as from at least onedatabase. The central server (with database) 150 is also configured tomonitor and control the one or more sensors and/or measuring devices(not shown) connected to the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . ,110 n and/or to the device radio 160. The central server (with database)150 may also be communicatively coupled to other computers, for example,via an Internet connection. In this manner, the central server (withdatabase) 150 is operable to provide services to users wishing tocontrol the ad hoc wireless network 100 from at least one remotelocation.

The external network 140 may include, for example, a wide area network(WAN), a local area network (LAN), an Intranet, the Internet, etc. Theexternal network 140 communicatively couples the local server (withdatabase) 130 with the central server (with database) 150. In thismanner, the external network 140 permits the local server (withdatabase) 130 and the central server (with database) 150 to communicateacross relatively large distances.

The local server (with database) 130 is configured to provideinformation concerning the layout of the physical site, within which thead hoc wireless network is implemented. The local server (with database)130 is also configured to update newly added sensors and/or measuringdevices (not shown) connected to the ad hoc network. The central server(with database) 150 may, for example, provide software updates, newadministration information, new software parameters, etc., to the localserver (with database) 130.

When wirelessly transmitting node information to the access point 120,each of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n may utilizeany radio communication method suitable for multiple accesscommunications, such as spread spectrum, Frequency Division MultipleAccess, and/or Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA).

A spread spectrum communication method, which may include DirectSequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) or Frequency Hoping Spread Spectrum(FHSS), “spreads” a transmitted signal across a frequency bandwidth muchgreater than that necessary to send the original signal. For thispurpose, the signal may be spread using a pseudorandom code independentof the signal. This may result in many benefits, such as immunity tointerference and jamming. After transmission, a spread spectrum receiversynchronizes to the spread spectrum signal (i.e., acquires the spreadspectrum signal) and de-spreads the data. The use of independentrespective pseudorandom codes allows multiple users, for example, thenetwork nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, to simultaneouslytransmit in the same frequency band.

FDMA is yet another radio communication method that permits multipleaccess communications. In FDMA, each of the multiple users, for example,the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, is assigned aunique frequency bandwidth, within which it may transmit its nodeinformation. The mutual exclusivity of each of the unique frequencybandwidths permits each of the multiple users, for example, the networknodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, to transmit its respectivenode information at the same time without interference.

TDMA is still another radio communication method that permits multipleaccess communications. In TDMA, each of multiple users, for example, thenetwork nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, is assigned a specifictime slot, during which it may transmit its node information. In thismanner, TDMA permits the users to access the same frequency bandwidth atdifferent times. As discussed below, any radio communications methodthat permits timely organized radio communication may be used. In thismanner, it is believed that a timely organized radio communicationmethod, introduces order into an otherwise random transmissionmulti-node ad hoc wireless network. In this manner, a timely organizedradio communication method, may allow for a robust, self-building,self-routing, dynamic ad hoc network architecture, which is easilyexpandable.

In the various exemplary ad hoc networks according to the presentinvention described below, a timely organized radio communication methodis utilized. However, persons having ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the present invention is independent of any modulationschemes, such as phase modulation schemes, frequency modulation schemes,amplitude modulation schemes, pulse modulation schemes and/or anycombination of these modulation schemes. Furthermore, although thetimely organized radio communication method described below utilizes asingle frequency band, persons having ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the present invention may simultaneously utilizedifferent frequency bands to increase the number of network nodes 110 a,110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n and/or the amount of information capable ofbeing transmitted through the network.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is seen an exemplary timely organizeddata collection cycle 200 according to the present invention, datacollection cycle 200 being indefinitely repetitive. Data collectioncycle 200 is divided into a broadcast interval 210 c, an assignedtime-slotted communications interval 210 a, and a random accesstime-slotted communications interval 210 b. The assigned time-slottedcommunication interval 210 a includes a plurality of assignable timeslots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n, and the random accesstime-slotted communication interval 210 b includes a plurality of randomaccess time slots 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 n.

At any given time, each of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . ., 110 n, is either assigned to one of the assignable time slots 215 a,215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n or assigned to none of the assignable timeslots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n. If a network node, forexample, network node 110 a, is not assigned to one of time slots 215 a,215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n, that node transmits node information duringone of the random access time slots 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 nof the random access time-slotted communication interval 210 b, untilthe network node receives information from the access point 120 thatpermits it to determine which of time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . ,215 n to transmit node information in.

After determining the assignable time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . ,215 n within which to transmit, the network node, for example, networknode 110 a, stops transmitting during the random access time-slottedcommunication interval 210 b and begins transmitting during its newlyassigned time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n of the assignedtime-slotted communication interval 210 a.

Referring now to FIG. 3a , there is seen a block diagram of an exemplarynetwork node (NN) 300 according to the present invention. Network node300 includes a microprocessor 310, a transceiver 315 communicativelycoupled to the microprocessor 310, a device 320 also communicativelycoupled to the microprocessor 310, a communication buffer 312, and apower supply 325 for providing power to each of the microprocessor 310,the transceiver 315, the communication buffer 312, and the device 320via power bus 330. The device 320 may be, for example, a sensor, ameasuring and/or controlling device, or an interface. Network Node 300could include an optional media independent communication interface 335.When the optional media independent communication interface is connectedto a media independent communication link the network node 300 will be amedia independent network node (MINN) 300, as illustrated in FIG. 1, 100a and 100 n. All wirelessly transmitted messages from MINN 300 willappear on the media independent communication link.

Referring now to FIG. 3b , there is seen a block diagram of an exemplaryaccess point 350 according to the present invention. Access point 350includes a microprocessor 355, a transceiver 360 communicatively coupledto the microprocessor 355, a primary media independent communicationsinterface-1 (for access points and/or local server) 365 and a secondarymedia independent communications interface-2 (for the MINN's) 336,communicatively coupled to the microprocessor 355.

The access point 350 operates as a communication interface to the radiotransceiver 360, the local server (with database) 130 and to otheraccess points (not shown), using independent communication processes.For this purpose, the access point 350 may be provided, for example,with a communication buffer (not shown). It is believed to beadvantageous to provide large area installations with a plurality ofdistributed access points, each of which is communicatively coupled tothe same communication line or network. In this manner, each of theaccess points operates independently, i.e., with no master-slaverelationships.

In operation, each of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110n is operable to wirelessly communicate its respective node informationto the access point 120 via its respective transceiver 315. In thismanner, each of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 noperates as a source of information to be transmitted. A source networknode transmits its respective node information only during its assignedtime slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n, or during one of therandom access time slots 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 n if the noneof the time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n are assigned to thesource network node.

Additionally, each of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110n is operable to repackage and retransmit node information transmittedby at least one neighboring network node 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . ,110 n. This “retransmission” may be required, for example, if aneighboring network node 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n is preventedfrom directly transmitting its node information to the access point 120,for example, due to obstacles, interference, noise, jamming, powerlimitations, propagation losses, etc. In this case, a “transmissionchain” is utilized, in which a “chain” of network nodes 110 a, 110 b,110 c, . . . , 110 n serially retransmits the node informationoriginally transmitted by a source network node (i.e., the network nodesthat originates the node information). In this manner, the nodeinformation has a higher probability of reaching the access point 120. Anetwork node retransmitting information during a “chain transmission”(intervening transmission), does so during the time slot 215 a, 215 b,215 c, . . . , 215 d assigned to the source network node, or during oneof the random access time slots 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 n(which is chosen by the source network node itself) if none of the timeslots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n are assigned to the sourcenetwork node.

Each of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n dynamicallyassigns itself a hierarchal level based on information (e.g., datapackets) received from other network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . ,110 n. The hierarchal level is self-assigned in accordance with theshortest path to the access point 120. That is, the hierarchal leveldepends on the number of intervening transmissions to other networknodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n required to ensure that theoriginal transmission (i.e., node information) reaches the access point120. Thus, if a network node, for example, network node 110 a, iscapable of transmitting its node information to the access pointdirectly, without an intervening transmission to another network node,it will self-assign a hierarchal level that is different (e.g., lower)than the hierarchal level of another network node that must initiate atleast one intervening transmission to a neighboring network node toensure that its node information reaches the access point 120.

In one exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, theaccess point is assigned a hierarchal level of, for example, “1”, andeach of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n assignsitself a hierarchal level, for example, equal to the incremented minimumhierarchal level of the neighboring (e.g., intervening) network nodes itis capable of directly communicating with. For this purpose, each of thenetwork nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n transmits data packetsincluding that node's hierarchal level, as well as an ID value thatuniquely identifies the transmitting network node. These transmitteddata packets may be received by neighboring network nodes 110 a, 110 b,110 c, . . . , 110 n, each of which stores the transmitted hierarchallevel and the transmitting network node's ID value in a Last In FirstOut (LIFO) memory buffer, so that the ID and hierarchal level of theneighboring network node with the lowest hierarchal level is kept at thetop of the LIFO stack. In this manner, when a particular one of thenetwork nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n transmits nodeinformation (e.g., data packets), the node information is addressed andsent to the network node and/or the access point 120 at the top of thestack (or to the network node addressed by a PARENT_ID, as more fullydescribed below).

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is seen an exemplary ad hoc network 400according to the present invention, in which network nodes haveself-assigned hierarchal levels. Add hoc network 400 includes accesspoint 420 and network nodes 410 a, 410 b, 410 c, 410 d. The network 400also includes transmission paths 440 a, 440 b, 440 c, 440 d, as well asobstacles 430 a, 430 b, which block direct transmission from networknodes 410 c and 410 d, respectively. In this exemplary embodiment, theaccess point 420 is fixedly assigned a hierarchal level of “1”, andnetwork nodes 410 a, 410 b each assign themselves a hierarchal level of“2”, since each of these nodes 410 a, 410 b is capable of transmittingnode information directly to the access point 420 via transmission paths440 a, 440 b, respectively.

Network node 410 c is not capable of transmitting its node informationdirectly to the access point 420, due to obstacle 430 a. Thus, networknode 410 c must engage in a “chain transmission.” That is, network node410 c must engage in at least one intervening transmission to networknode 410 b to ensure that its node information reaches the access point420. For this purpose, network node 410 c transmits its node informationdirectly to network node 410 b via transmission path 440 c, after whichnetwork node 410 b repackages and retransmits the node informationdirectly to the access point 420 via transmission path 440 b. Sincenetwork node 410 c must initiate one intervening transmission to networknode 410 b, the network node 410 c assigns itself a hierarchal level of“3”.

In similar fashion, obstacle 430 b prevents network node 410 d fromdirectly transmitting node information to network nodes 410 a, 410 b andthe access point 420. Thus, network node 410 d must transmit its nodeinformation to network node 410 c via transmission path 440 d, afterwhich network node 410 c repackages and retransmits the node informationto network node 410 b via transmission path 440 c, and then network node410 b repackages and retransmits the node information directly to theaccess point 420 via transmission path 440 b. Since network node 410 dmust engage in two intervening transmissions to network nodes 410 d, 410b, network node 410 d assigns itself a hierarchal level of “4”.

It should be noted that obstacles 430 a, 430 b may include any device,object, mechanism, or phenomenon capable of preventing a direct wirelesstransmission. For example, obstacles 430 a, 430 b may include a wall,ambient noise, a moving object (such as a person), propagation losses,and/or a jamming device operable to prevent direct wirelesstransmission.

It should also be noted that, although FIG. 4 shows only four networknodes 410 a, 410 b, 410 c, 410 d and one access point 420, the timelyorganized ad hoc wireless network 400 may include any number of networknodes and any number of access points, for example, one or many networknodes and one access point, five network nodes and three access points,7100 network nodes and six access points, etc.

It should also be noted that, although FIG. 4 shows each of networknodes 410 a, 410 b, 410 c, 410 d self-assigning a hierarchal level thatincreases with the required number of intervening transmissions, thehierarchal level may be assigned in other ways. For example, each of thenetwork nodes 410 a, 410 b, 410 c, 410 d may assign itself ahierarchical level that decreases with the required number ofintervening transmissions. Or, alternatively, each of the network nodes410 a, 410 b, 410 c, 410 d may assign itself a hierarchical level havingno chronological correlation to the required number of interveningtransmissions. Or, alternatively, each of the network nodes 410 a, 410b, 410 c, 410 d may assign itself a hierarchical level in accordancewith a suitably designed algorithm that depends on the number ofintervening transmissions to neighboring network nodes required toensure that node information reaches the access point 420.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is seen the exemplary ad hoc wirelessnetwork 400 shown in FIG. 4, in which the access point 420 transmitsacknowledgment and/or command information to network node 410 c toacknowledge receipt of node information originally transmitted by sourcenetwork node 410 c and/or give some command to source network node 410c. In this exemplary embodiment, network node 410 c is the “source” ofnode information transmitted during one of its assigned time slot 215 a,215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n or random access time slots 220 a, 220 b,220 c, . . . , 220 n. To ensure that the node information transmitted bynetwork node 410 c reaches the access point 420, network node 420 bengages in a “chain transmission” by retransmitting the node informationto the access point 420. After receiving the node information originatedby source network node 410 c, the access point 420 transmitsacknowledgment and/or command information to source network node 410 cvia the same transmission path (i.e., the same chain transmission path)used to communicate the node information to the access point 420, exceptin reverse order. Thus, the access point 420 transmits theacknowledgment and/or command information to network node 410 b, afterwhich network node 410 b retransmits the acknowledgment and/or commandinformation to source network node 410 c.

The communications between the access point 120 and each of the networknodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n may be accomplished, forexample, using differently formatted data packets, for example, threedifferently formatted data packets. Below is described an exemplary3-type data packet communications scheme for communications between thenetwork nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n and the access point120. Alternatively, other types of data communications schemes may beemployed, such as a 2-type data packet scheme, a 5-type data packetscheme, etc, and each of the packets may be transmitted, for example, asa serial stream of smaller packets, if and when the communicationchannel becomes less reliable.

As stated above, the exemplary timely organized ad hoc wireless network100 may utilizes a 3-type data packet communications scheme, which mayinclude, for example, a broadcast data packet (BCDP), a network nodedata packet (NNDP), and a acknowledge/command data packet (CDP).

The BCDP data packet is a data packet transmitted by the access point120 to all of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 nduring the broadcast interval 210 c of each data collection cycle 200.To help ensure that all of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . ., 110 n receive the BCDP data packet, each of the network nodes 110 a,110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, receiving the BCDP subsequently retransmitsthe BCDP data packet after a randomly calculated delay. In this manner,the BCDP has a higher probability of reaching all the network nodes 110a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 n. The BCDP data packet contains information thatpermits the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n tosynchronize to one another. This “synchronization” may be necessary, forexample, in a timely organized time-slotted communication method, sinceeach of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n mustdetermine its time to transmit information (TTT) with respect to allother network nodes.

The NNDP data packet is a data packet transmitted by one of the networknodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, the NNDP data packet beingultimately destined for the access point 120. The NNDP data packetcontains node information received from one or more sensors, measuringand/or controlling devices (not shown). The node information mayinclude, for example, the temperature of a room, lighting conditions ofa room, energy usage, etc. The NNDP data packet is originallytransmitted by a source network node and repackaged and retransmitted byat least one neighboring network node, if a “chain transmission” isrequired to ensure that the NNDP data packet reaches the access point120. Both the original transmission of the NNDP data packet and anyrequired retransmissions of the NNDP data packet occur during the sametime slot used by the source network node to transmit the NNDP datapacket (i.e., one of assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . ,215 d or random access time slot 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 n). Ina timely organized communication method, for example, each of thenetwork nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n may originally transmitat least one NNDP data packet during its assigned time slot. Dependingon its self-assigned hierarchical level, the NNDP may be directlytransmitted to the access point 120 or may be transmitted to at leastone other network node 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, if a chaintransmission is required. The NNDP data packet contains the respectivenode information, as well as auxiliary information used by other networknodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n for routing the nodeinformation to the access point 120, if a chain transmission isrequired. Depending on the type of network node and the amount of datacontained within the node information, any of the network nodes 110 a,110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n may transmit more than one, for example,five, NNDP data packets during one transmission session, for example,during one assigned time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n orrandom access time slots 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 n in a timelyorganized communication method.

The CDP data packet is a data packet transmitted by the access point 120to the source network node after the access point 120 receives the NNDPdata packet(s) originally transmitted by the source network node. TheCDP data packet includes acknowledgment information, as well as optionalcommand information. The acknowledgment information may be used by thesource network node, for example, to determine its assigned time slot215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n. The optional command information mayinclude, for example, at least one command to be executed by the sourcenetwork node. The command may, for example, turn off/on an airconditioner, regulate the opening of the steam valve for heating, setand update certain parameters for a local controller, turn on an alarm,display certain message(s), etc.

The access point 120 transmits the CDP data packet during the same timeslot used by the source network node to transmit the NNDP data packet(s)(i.e., during one of assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . ,215 d or random access time slot 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 n) 215a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n).

In one exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, theaccess point 120 transmits the CDP data packet to the source networknode using the same path (i.e., the same transmission chain) used by thesource network node to transmit its NNDP data packet(s) to the accesspoint 120. For example, referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, since networknode 410 c transmits its NNDP data packet(s) to the access point 420 vianetwork node 410 b, the access point 420 transmits the corresponding CDPdata packet to network node 410 c via network node 410 b.

As described above, the CDP data packet may contain, for example,information that permits the source network node to determine itsassigned time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n. However, onceassigned, the time slot may be lost if, for example, the NNDP datapacket transmitted by the source network node never reaches the accesspoint 120 or if the CDP data packet transmitted by the access point 120never reaches the source network node, for example, due to noise,interference, jamming, etc. If this is the case, those network nodes 110a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n, which have not yet received a datapacket (e.g., a CDP data packet), as well as those network nodes 110 a,110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n which have lost their time slot, transmittheir respective NNDP data packet(s) during one of the random accesstime slots 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 n of the random accesscommunications interval 210 b. In this manner, the access point 120 mayreceive the NNDP data packet(s) transmitted during the random accesscommunications interval 210 b, after which it may transmit appropriatelyaddressed CDP data packets. As described above, each of the CDP datapackets contains information that permits a respective network node todetermine its assigned time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n,which may then be used during the next data collection cycle 200.Referring now to FIG. 6, there is seen further detail of an exemplarydata packet structure 600 according to the present invention. Each ofthe BCDP, NNDP, and CDP data packets may include, for example, 12 bytes(0 through 11). Bytes 0 and 1 are a combination of a Series No 610 (1/2Byte), indicating the data collection cycle number originated by theaccess point, and a to_ID 615 (11/2 Bytes) that uniquely identifies theintended destination of the data packet, such as one of the neighboringnetwork nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n or the access point120. For a BCDP data packet, the to_ID 615 does not address a particularnetwork node, since every network node 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110n is an intended destination of the BCDP data packet. Instead, the to_IDmay be set to, for example, all binary is (hexadecimal: FFF). The firstnibble (i.e., 4 bits) of byte 2 contains the from_hierarchical_level620, which is either the hierarchal level of the transmitting networknode, or the hierarchical level of the transmitting access point 120(e.g., “1”). The second nibble of byte 2 and byte 3 contain a from_ID625 that uniquely identifies either the transmitting network node, i.e.,one of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n or thetransmitting access point 120.

Bytes 4-9 contain the main_information 630. The format and content ofthe main_information 630 depend on the type of data packet (e.g., BCDP,NNDP, CDP), as described below. Bytes 10 and 11 contain checksum_info635 used to store a calculated checksum of the transmitted data packet.This may permit, for example, the intended destination of the datapacket to detect bit errors in a received data packet and, if necessary,initiate appropriate measures. In lieu of or in addition tochecksum_info 635, bytes 10 and 11 may contain other informationsuitable to detect and/or correct errors in the received data packet,such as a hash code, error correction codes, etc.

The format and content of bytes 4-9 depend on the type of data packet.Referring now to FIG. 7, there is seen an exemplary data structure ofbytes 4 9 of a BCDP data packet. The first nibble of byte 4 is set to,for example, “0000”. The second nibble of byte 4 and byte 5 contain theAP_ID 710, i.e., a unique identifier assigned to the access point 120(11/2 bytes). Byte 6 contains a synchro_delay 715, which is used by thenetwork nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n to synchronize to oneanother. Synchronization may be necessary, for example, in a timelyorganized communications scheme, in which each of the network nodes 110a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n is assigned a respective time slot 215 a,215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n, within which to transmit its information.The synchro_delay 715 is set in accordance with a subsequent time atwhich the network node assigned to the first time slot 215 a shouldbegin transmission of a first NNDP data packet. Each of the networknodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n uses the synchro_delay 715 tocalculate a timeout between the moment of receiving the BCDP data packetand this subsequent time to transmit. Upon retransmitting the BCDP datapacket to neighboring network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n,each of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 nrecalculates and changes the synchro_delay 715 by subtracting a valuerepresenting the delay between receiving the BCDP data packet andretransmitting it.

The first nibble of byte 7 is reserved in this exemplary embodiment.However, it should be appreciated that the first nibble of byte 7 maycontain any additional information.

The second nibble of byte 7 includes a time_slot_length 720, whichindicates the size of each respective time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . .. , 215 d assigned to each of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . .. , 110 n. In this exemplary embodiment, each time slot 215 a, 215 b,215 c, . . . , 215 d has the same length. The time_slot_length 720 iscalculated in accordance with the total number of network nodes 110 a,110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n and the maximum time required for thenetwork node assigned the highest hierarchical level to transmit itsnode information to the access point 120. Thus, the time_slot_length 720necessarily determines the maximum number of NNDP data packets that maybe transmitted and/or retransmitted by a network node and the maximumnumber of network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n required forchain transmission during its respective time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c,. . . , 215 n or random access time slot 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . ,220 n.

The first nibble of byte 8 is reserved in this exemplary embodiment.However, it should be appreciated that the first nibble of byte 8 maycontain any additional information.

The second nibble of byte 8 and byte 9 contain total_slots 725, whichinclude the total number of assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, .. . , 215 d in the assigned time-slotted communications interval 210 a,which depends on the total number of network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c,. . . , 110 n in the timely organized ad hoc wireless network 100.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is seen an exemplary data structure ofbytes 4-9 of an NNDP data packet. The first nibble of byte 4 contains aparameter_number 810 that uniquely identifies a particular NNDP datapacket within a series of NNDP data packets transmitted by a sourcenetwork node during a respective time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . ,215 n or random access time slot 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 n. Forexample, if network node 110 a transmits three NNDP data packets duringits assigned time slot, the first NNDP may have a parameter_number 810of “0000”, the second NNDP may have a parameter_number 810 of “0001”,and the third NNDP may have a parameter_number 810 of “0010”. It shouldbe appreciated, however, that the parameter_number 810 need not beconsecutively assigned to a respective NNDP data packet. For example, aspecial parameter_number 810, such as “1111” or “1110”, may be used toindicate the last NNDP data packet transmitted within an assigned timeslot.

The second nibble of byte 4 and byte 5 contain a source_ID 815 thatuniquely identifies the network node that is the source of theoriginally transmitted NNDP data packet(s) (i.e., the source networknode).

Bytes 6-9 contain a parameter_value 820, i.e., the main nodeinformation, for example, the temperature of a room, the lightingconditions of a room, the energy usage, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is seen an exemplary data structure ofbytes 4-9 of a CDP data packet. The first nibble of byte 4 contains hexF or “1111,” in which hex F indicates that the CDP data packet isaddressed to the source network node, and “1111” indicates otherwise.

The second nibble of byte 4 and byte 5 contain the destination ID 910 ofthe network node intended to receive and process the CDP data packet(i.e., the network node 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n that was thesource of the last received NNDP data packet(s)).

The first nibble of byte 6 contains a command-type 915, which indicatesone of a series of commands to be executed by the network nodeidentified by the destination_ID 910. If the CDP data packet does notinclude a command to be executed, the command_type 915 may be assignedto a default value, for example, “0000”.

The second nibble of byte 6 and byte 7 contain the time slot 920, whichindicates the time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 d assigned tothe network node identified by the destination_ID 910 (i.e., the networknode that originated the NNDP data packet(s) last received by the accesspoint 120).

Bytes 8 and 9 contain command_parameters 925, which are used inconjunction with the command_type 915 to execute a command issued by theaccess point 120.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is seen a flow diagram of theoperational sequence of an exemplary network node, for example, networknode 110 a, according to the present invention. The operational sequencemay be stored, for example, in a memory device, (not shown) or in themicroprocessor internal program or data memory, of the network node forexecution on microprocessor 310. Or, at least a portion of theoperational sequence may be implemented on, for example, a FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC), discrete logic circuits, etc.

The following is a description of exemplary variables, e.g., memoryvariables, used by the operational sequence shown in FIG. 10. Thesevariables may be stored, for example, in the memory device (not shown)or in the microprocessor internal memory of the network node. MY_SLOT:This variable stores which of the assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b,215 c, . . . , 215 n the network node is assigned to. A MY_SLOT value of“null” indicates that the network node has not yet received an assignedtime slot or has lost its assigned time slot. MY_ID The uniqueidentifier assigned to the network node. MY_H_LVL: The hierarchal levelassigned to the network node. PARENT_ID: The unique ID of theneighboring network node to which all subsequent data packets areaddressed, until communications fails, i.e., until an acknowledgmentNNDP data packet is not received, or until a neighboring network nodewith a lower hierarchal level is detected. PARENT_H_LVL: The hierarchallevel of the neighboring network node identified by the PARENT_ID.LAST_FROM_ID: The ID of the neighboring network node that has justtransmitted an NNDP data packet to the current network node. Thisvariable is required to help route a subsequent CDP data packettransmitted by the access point to the source network node. LAST_SOURCE:The ID of the network node that is the source of the NNDP data packet(s)last received by the current network node.

As shown in FIG. 10, the operational sequence begins at step 1010, afterwhich step 1015 is executed. In step 1015, the network node executesinitialization procedures, which may include, for example, preparingcommunication buffers, updating, timers, and/or enabling a receive modeof the transceiver 315.

In step 1020, it is determined whether a data packet (i.e., NNDP, CDP,or BCDP) has been received by the network node. If so, step 1025 isexecuted, in which the data packet is processed. After processing thereceived data packet, or if no data packets have been received, step1032 is executed, in which it is determined whether the transmitsequence is operational. If so, and if transmission is needed, transmitsequence step 1030 is executed. If not, step 1020 is executed, in whichit is checked whether a data packet has arrived.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is seen an exemplary data packetprocessing sequence 1025 as shown in FIG. 10. The data packet processingsequence 1025 begins by checking whether the to_ID 615 of the receiveddata is addressed to the network node (i.e., whether the network node isthe intended destination of the received data packet). If not, the datapacket is either a BCDP data packet (i.e., a broadcast data packet,which is not addressed to any individual network node), an NNDP datapacket addressed to either another network node or the access point 120,or a CDP data packet addressed to another network node.

If the data packet's to_ID 615 is not addressed to the network node,step 1115 is executed, in which it is determined whether the receiveddata packet is a BCDP data packet. If so, step 1120 is executed, inwhich processing of the BCDP is performed.

During the BCDP data packet processing step 1120, the network nodesynchronizes to other network nodes, thereby permitting the network nodeto determine the start of its respective time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c,. . . , 215 n. For this purpose, it is determined whether the networknode's currently assigned time slot, i.e., MY_SLOT, is set to the “null”time slot. MY_SLOT will be assigned the “null” time slot, for example,upon powering up the network node or, for example, if the network nodeloses its assigned time slot (e.g., if the access point 120 does notreceive NNDP data packet(s) originated by the network node or if thenetwork node does not receive a CDP data packet acknowledging thereceived NNDP data packet(s) originated by the network node).

In this exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the“null” time slot is time slot “0”.

If the network node's time slot (MY_SLOT) is set to the “null” timeslot, i.e., the 0.sup.th time slot, the network node configures itselfto transmit during one of the random access time slots 220 a, 220 b, 220c, . . . , 220 n of the random access communications interval 210 b. Todetermine which of the random access time slots 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . .. , 220 n to transmit in, the network node uses the informationcontained in the BCDP data packet, for example, the synchro_delay 715,the time_slot_length 720, and the total_slots 725. Using thisinformation, the network node may determine its time to transmit, forexample, by the following equation: Time to Transmit (TTT)=synchro_delay715+(total_slots 725+random integer)*time_slot_length 720.

The random access time slotted interval may, for example, have a fixedamount of time slots or, alternatively, a certain percentage of thetotal number of assigned time slots may be assigned to the random accesstime slotted interval, for example, 10%.

If, however, MY_SLOT is not set to the “null” time slot, i.e., one ofthe time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n of the time-slottedcommunications interval 210 a is assigned to the network node, thenetwork node may determine its time to transmit, for example, using thefollowing equation: Time to Transmit (TTT)=synchro_delay715+(MY_SLOT*time_slot_length 720).

After the network node synchronizes, i.e., determines the time totransmit, the synchro_delay 715 of the BCDP data packet is recalculated,and then the modified BCDP data packet is stored in a transmit bufferfor subsequent retransmission during the Broadcast interval 210 c aftera random delay. The random delay is necessary to prevent simultaneousretransmission of the BCDP data packet by those network nodes 110 a, 110b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n receiving the BCDP data packet essentially atthe same time. The synchro_delay 715 is recalculated before eachretransmission of the BCDP data packet to ensure, or at least makes moreprobable, that the synchro_delay 715 will expire at the same time foreach of the network nodes 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, . . . , 110 n. For thispurpose, the synchro_delay 715, may be recalculated, for example,according to the following equation: new synchro_delay 715=(receivedsynchro_delay 715-delay between receipt of the BCDP data packet andretransmission of the BCDP after the random timeout).

If the data packet received is an NNDP data packet transmitted by aneighboring network node, step 1125 is executed, in which it isdetermined whether the NNDP data packet is an acknowledgment NNDP datapacket. A received NNDP data packet is an acknowledgment NNDP datapacket if the NNDP data packet is a retransmission of the network node'sNNDP data packet by a neighboring network node. For example, referringback to FIG. 4, after network node 410 c transmits an NNDP data packetto network node 410 b, network node 410 b retransmits the NNDP datapacket to the access point 420. Network node 410 c also receives thisretransmission of the NNDP data packet from network node 410 b to theaccess point 420. By receiving the retransmission of the NNDP datapacket, network node 410 c verifies that network node 410 b received theoriginal transmission of the NNDP data packet from network node 410 c tonetwork node 410 b (i.e., network node 410 c verifies the integrity ofthe transmission chain). That is, with respect to node 410 c the NNDPdata packet is an acknowledgment or verification data packet. For thispurpose, network node 410 c checks the from_ID 625 and the maininformation 630 (i.e., the parameter_number 810, the source_ID 815, andthe parameter_value 820) of the NNDP data packet. If the from_ID 625 ofthe NNDP data packet transmitted by network node 410 b is the same asthe to_ID 615 of the NNDP data packet transmitted by network node 410 cto network node 410 b, and the main_information 630 of the NNDP datapacket transmitted by network node 410 b is the same as themain_information 630 of the NNDP data packet transmitted by network node410 c to network node 410 b, the NNDP data packet is considered anacknowledgment NNDP data packet. Thus, if, for example, network node 410b fails to retransmit the NNDP data packet to the access point 420, forexample, due to noise or interference blocking the original transmissionof the NNDP data packet from network node 410 c to network node 410 b,network node 410 c may retransmit the NNDP data packet to a differentneighboring network node. In this manner, network node 410 c may ensure,or at least make it more likely, that its NNDP data packet willeventually reach the access point 420.

Referring back to FIG. 11, if the NNDP data packet is an acknowledgmentNNDP data packet, step 1130 is executed, in which the network nodestores the from_ID 625 and the from_hierarchal_level 620 of the NNDPdata packet as the PARENT_ID and a PARENT_H_LVL, respectively. Then, thenetwork node assigns itself a hierarchal level (i.e., MY_H_LVL) equal tothe PARENT_H_LVL+1. In this manner, all subsequent data packets will beaddressed to the network node identified by the PARENT_ID, untilcommunications fails, i.e., until an acknowledgment NNDP data packet isnot received or until a neighboring network node with a lower hierarchallevel is detected (see below).

If it is determined, in step 1125, that the received data packet is notan NNDP acknowledgment data packet, this indicates that the receivedpacket is either a non-acknowledgment type NNDP data packet or a CDPdata packet addressed to another network node. The network node ignoresthese types of packets, with the exception of the processing performedby step 1135.

In step 1135, the LIFO stack is updated if the received data packet hasa from_hierarchal_level 620 that is either less than or equal to thehierarchal level of the network node's ID currently stored at the top ofthe LIFO stack. Effectively, the network node processes data packets notaddressed to the network node to ensure that at least one neighboringnetwork node's ID and hierarchal level is stored at the top of the LIFOstack. The LIFO stack, the PARENT_ID, and PARENT_H_LVL comprise thedynamic self-routing protocol.

If the received data packet is addressed to the network node, step 1140is executed, in which packets addressed to the network node areprocessed. Referring now to FIG. 12, there is seen an exemplary sequence1140 for processing data packets addressed to the network node. If thereceived data packet is addressed to MY_ID, i.e., the network node, thenthe received data packet is either a CDP data packet destined for thenetwork node (i.e., the destination_ID 910 is equal to MY_ID), a CDPdata packet destined for another network node (i.e., the destination_ID910 is not equal to MY_ID), or an NNDP data packet transmitted byanother network node and destined for the access point 120.

In step 1210, it is determined whether the received data packet is a CDPdata packet. If not, step 1230 is executed, in which the network nodeprocesses the NNDP data packet transmitted by another network node. Asdescribed above, the network node may be the intended destination of theNNDP data packet, if the source network node (i.e., the source of theNNDP data packet) requires intervening transmission to other networknodes to ensure that its respective node information reaches the accesspoint. For example, referring back to FIG. 4, network node 410 c musttransmit its NNDP data packet(s) to 410 b, which then retransmits theNNDP data packet(s) to the access point 420 (i.e., the final destinationof the NNDP data packet(s)). Thus, network node 410 b is the intendeddestination of the NNDP data packet transmitted by network node 410 c.

Referring back to FIG. 12, the network node copies the from_ID 625 ofthe NNDP data packet to the internal memory variable LAST_FROM_ID. Thisstep is required because the access point 120 will subsequently transmita CDP data packet to the source of the NNDP data packet using the sametransmission chain, but in reverse order. Thus, when the current networknode subsequently receives a CDP data packet destined to the source ofthe current NNDP data packet, the network node will retransmit the CDPdata packet to the network node identified by the LAST_FROM_ID. Thenetwork node also copies the destination_ID 910 of the CDP data packetto the variable LAST_SOURCE. In this manner, the network node keepstrack of the source of the NNDP data packet.

Then, step 1235 is executed, in which the network node determines whichneighboring network node to retransmit the NNDP data packet to bychanging the to_ID 615 of the NNDP data packet to either the PARENT_IDor the ID at the top of the LIFO stack. In this manner, the network nodewill retransmit the NNDP data packet to the neighboring network nodeidentified by the PARENT_ID, unless an acknowledgment NNDP data packetwas not detected from the PARENT_ID or if the network node at the top ofthe LIFO stack has a hierarchal level less than the PARENT_H_LVL, inwhich case the network node will retransmit the NNDP data packet to theneighboring network node identified by the ID at the top of the LIFOstack. If the network node retransmits the NNDP data packet to theneighboring network node identified by the ID at the top of the LIFOstack, the ID is then removed from the stack. In this manner, the LIFOstack is constantly updated with current routing information.

Then, step 1240 is executed, in which the modified NNDP data packet isloaded in the transmit buffer. Before doing so, however, the networknode updates the from_hierarchal_level 620 and the from_ID 625 of theNNDP data packet to indicate the hierarchal level (i.e., MY_H_LVL) andID (i.e., MY_ID) of the network node, respectively. In this manner, theNNDP is retransmitted to the next neighboring network node in thetransmission chain or, alternatively, is transmitted directly to theaccess point 120. The network node transmits the NNDP directly to theaccess point 120 if the network node is the last network node in atransmission chain or if the network node is a source network nodeneighboring the access point 120 (i.e., the network node's hierarchallevel permits direct transmission to the access point).

If step 1210 indicates that the received data packet is a CDP datapacket, step 1215 is executed, in which it is determined whether the CDPdata packet is destined for the current network node (i.e., whether thedestination_ID 910 is equal to MY_ID). If so, step 1220 is executed, inwhich the information contained in the CDP data packet is used todetermine the network node's assigned time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . .. , 215 n. Specifically, the network node copies time_slot 930 of theCDP data packet to the variable MY_SLOT. Then, step 1225 is executed, inwhich it is determined whether the access point 120 requires the networknode to execute a command based on the command_type 915 and thecommand_parameters 925 of the CDP data packet. If so, the network nodedecodes and executes the command.

If step 1215 indicates that the CDP data packet is not destined for thecurrent network node (i.e., the destination_ID 910 of the CDP datapacket is not equal to MY_ID), step 1245 is executed, in which thenetwork node loads the CDP data packet into the transmit buffer forsubsequent transmission to the neighboring network node identified bythe LAST_FROM_ID. For this purpose, the network node modifies the CDPdata packet by changing the to_ID 615 to LAST_FROM_ID, the from_ID 625to MY_ID, and the from_hierarchal_level 620 to MY_H_LVL. In this manner,the CDP data packet is eventually received by the source of the lasttransmitted NNDP data packet(s) using the same transmission chain as wasused to transmit the NNDP data packet(s) to the access point.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is seen an exemplary transmit sequence1030 according to the present invention. In step 1310, it is determinedwhether the time to transmit has arrived, i.e., whether the time slot215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 d assigned to the current network nodehas arrived. If so, step 1315 is executed, in which data from sensorsand measuring devices is obtained (e.g., temperature of a room, energyusage, etc.) and packaged into one or more NNDP data packets (e.g.,packaged into the parameter value 820 of one or more NNDP data packets).Then, step 1320 is executed, in which the network node determines whichneighboring network node to transmit the newly packaged NNDP datapacket(s) to by setting the to_ID 615 of the NNDP data packet to eitherthe PARENT_ID or the ID at the top of the LIFO stack. Specifically, thenetwork node will transmit the NNDP data packet(s) to the neighboringnetwork node identified by the PARENT_ID, unless an acknowledgment NNDPdata packet is not detected from the network node identified by thePARENT_ID or if the network node at the top of the LIFO stack has ahierarchal level less than the PARENT_H_LVL. If either of these eventsoccurs, the network node will transmit the NNDP data packet(s) to theneighboring network node identified by the ID at the top of the LIFOstack, after which the ID is removed from the stack. Then, step 1325 isexecuted, in which the newly packaged NNDP data packet(s) is/are loadedin the transmit buffer.

Steps 1330, 1335, 1340 operate together to transmit informationcontained in the transmit buffer. First, in step 1330, it is determinedwhether the transmit buffer is empty. If so, no information istransmitted, and the operational sequence loops back to step 1020. Ifthe transmit buffer is not empty, step 1335 is executed, in which it isdetermined whether a random timeout has expired. If not, the operationalsequence loops back to step 1020. If so, step 1340 is executed, in whichthe contents of the transmit buffer are transmitted. Then, theoperational sequence loops back to step 1020.

The random delay defined by the random timeout only exists when thenetwork node is transmitting information in a time slot assigned toanother network node. Thus, when the network node is originating an NNDPdata packet, the random timeout is “0”.

Referring now to FIGS. 15a through 15e , there is seen an exemplarydynamic self-routing protocol according to the present invention. FIG.15 shows a LIFO stack 1510 and the PARENT_ID memory variable of networknode 410 c shown in FIG. 4. LIFO stack 1510 includes a plurality oflevels 1520 a, 1520 b, 1520 c, . . . , 1520 n, each of which is operableto store a network node ID and a network node hierarchal level. Asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 4, the access point 420 has ahierarchal level of “1”, each of network nodes 410 a, 410 b has ahierarchal level of “2”, network node 410 c has a hierarchal level of“3”, and network node 410 d has a hierarchal level of “4”. As shown inFIG. 15a , network node 410 c has not yet assigned any of network nodes410 a, 410 b, 410 d or the access point 420 to either the LIFO stack orthe PARENT_ID memory variable.

For exemplary purposes only, network node 410 a transmits a single NNDPdata packet to the access point 420 during its assigned time slot, forexample, the 1.sup.st assigned time slot 215 a. This NNDP data packet isreceived by network node 410 c, which proceeds to process the NNDP datapacket in the manner described above. As shown in FIG. 15b , networknode 410 c copies the ID and hierarchal level of network node 410 a tothe top of LIFO stack 1510, since network node 410 c has not yetassigned a network node to the LIFO stack 1510.

Then, at a subsequent point in time, network node 410 d transmits asingle NNDP data packet to network node 410 c. As described above,network node 410 c retransmits this NNDP data packet to network node 410b, since obstacle 430 b prevents network node 410 d from directlytransmitting the NNDP data packet to the access point 420. However,since the hierarchal level of network node 410 d is not less than orequal to the hierarchal level of the ID at the top of the LIFO stack1510 (i.e., 4 is not less than or equal to 2), network node 410 c doesnot copy the ID of network node 410 d to the top of the LIFO stack 1510.

Then, at a subsequent point in time, network node 410 b transmits asingle NNDP data packet to the access point 420 during its assigned timeslot, for example, the 3rd assigned time slot 215 c. This NNDP datapacket is received by network node 410 c, which proceeds to process theNNDP data packet in the manner described above. As shown in FIG. 15c ,network node 410 c copies the ID of network node 410 b to the top ofLIFO stack 1510, since network node 410 b has a hierarchal level that isless than or equal to the hierarchal level of the ID at the top of theLIFO stack 1510 (i.e., 2 is equal to 2). In doing so, the ID of networknode 410 a is pushed downward into the second position of the LIFO stack1510.

Then, at a subsequent point in time, network node 410 c transmits asingle NNDP data packet ultimately destined for the access point 420.Since no network node has been assigned to the PARENT_ID, network node410 c transmits the NNDP data packet to the network node at the top ofthe LIFO stack 1510, i.e., network node 410 b. As shown in FIG. 15d ,network node 410 c then removes network node 410 b from the top of theLIFO stack 1510, causing network node 410 a to advance to the itposition of the LIFO stack 1510.

After receiving the NNDP data packet, network node 410 b retransmits theNNDP data packet to the access point 420. This “retransmission” isreceived by network node 410 c, thereby permitting network node 410 c toacknowledge that the NNDP data packet transmitted from network node 410c was actually received by network node 410 b. That is, theretransmitted NNDP data packet is also an “acknowledgment” NNDP datapacket. At this point, as shown in FIG. 15e , network node 410 c copiesthe ID of network node 410 b as the PARENT_ID. In this manner, allsubsequent transmissions from network node 410 c will be directed tonetwork node 410 b, until communications fails, i.e., until anacknowledgment NNDP data packet is not received, or until a neighboringnetwork node with a lower hierarchal level is detected and placed on topof the LIFO stack.

Referring now to FIGS. 14a through 14l , there is seen an exemplary adhoc wireless network 1400 upon power up. As shown in FIG. 14a , the hocwireless network 1400 includes network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b, and 1410 c,as well as access point 1420. In this exemplary embodiment, networknodes 1410 a, 1410 b are capable of directly communicating with theaccess point 1420. Network node 1410 c, however, is prevented fromdirectly communicating with both the access point 1420 and network node1410 a by obstacle 1425. As shown in FIG. 14a , upon power up, none ofthe network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b, 1410 c has assigned itself ahierarchal level or a PARENT_ID, and none of the network nodes 1410 a,1410 b, 1410 c has an network node ID at the top of its respective LIFOstack.

In this state, each of the network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b, 1410 c is in a“listening” state, in which it waits for a BCDP data packet to bereceived.

Referring now to FIG. 14b , the access point 1420 transmits the firstBCDP data packet during the broadcast interval 210 c. The BCDP datapacket is then received by network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b. Each of networknodes 1410 a, 1410 b processes the BCDP data packet according to step1120 of FIG. 11, as described above. In this manner, each of networknodes 1410 a, 1410 b determines that the BCDP data packet wastransmitted by the access point 1420, since the from_ID 625 of the BCDPidentifies the access point 1420.

Referring now to FIG. 14c , each of the network nodes 1410 a, 1410 bcopies the from_ID 625 (i.e., the access point) and thefrom_hierarchal_level 620 (i.e., level “1” for the access point) of theBCDP data packet to the top of the LIFO stack.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14d , each of network nodes 1410 a, 1410 bretransmits the BCDP after a random delay, as described above. In thismanner, the network node 1410 c receives the BCDP and then retransmitsthe BCDP data packet after a random delay. At this point, since each ofthe network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b, 1410 c has received the BCDP datapacket, each of the network nodes is synchronized, i.e., each knows thetime of the first assignable time slot 215 a.

Once synchronized, each of the network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b begins totransmit NNDP data packet(s) during one of the random access time slots220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 d of the random access communicationsinterval 210 b, since none of the network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b has yetbeen assigned one of the assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . .. , 215 n of the time-slotted communications interval 210 a. Networknode 1410 c, although synchronized, does not begin to transmit NNDP datapacket(s) because it has not yet assigned any of the neighboring networknodes 1410 a, 1410 b to the top of its LIFO stack. That is, network node1410 c has not yet determined where to transmit subsequent NNDP datapackets.

For exemplary purposes only, access point 1420 receives the NNDP datapacket(s) of network node 1410 a first, for example, during the firstrandom access time slot 220 a. At this point, as shown in FIG. 14e , theaccess point 1420 transmits a CDP data packet to network node 1410 aduring the first random access time slot 220 a. After the network node1410 a receives the CDP data packet, it copies the time_slot information920 to MY_SLOT. In this manner, network node 1410 a is assigned one ofthe assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n. In thisexemplary embodiment, network node 1410 a is assigned the 1.sup.st timeslot 215 a.

The CDP also acts as an “acknowledgment” data packet for all networknodes (i.e., network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b) capable of directlycommunicating with the access point 1420. Thus, as shown in FIG. 14e ,network node 1410 a assigns the ID of the access point as the PARENT_IDand assigns the hierarchal level of the access point 1420 (e.g., level“1”) to the PARENT_H_LVL and also assigns itself an incrementedhierarchal level of the hierarchal level of the access point 1420 (i.e.,1+1=“2”).

Then, access point 1420 receives the NNDP data packet(s) of network node1410 b, for example, during the third random access time slot 220 c. Atthis point, as shown in FIG. 14f , the access point 1420 transmits a CDPdata packet to network node 1410 b during the third random access timeslot 220 c. After the network node 1410 b receives the CDP data packet,it copies the time_slot information 920 to MY_SLOT. In this manner,network node 1410 b is assigned one of the assignable time slots 215 a,215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n. In this exemplary embodiment, network node1410 b is assigned the 2.sup.nd time slot 215 b.

The CDP also acts as an “acknowledgment” data packet for network node1410 b. Thus, as shown in FIG. 14f , network node 1410 b assigns the IDof the access point as the PARENT_ID and assigns the hierarchal level ofthe access point (e.g., level “1”) to the PARENT_H_LVL and also assignsitself an incremented hierarchal level of the hierarchal level of theaccess point 1420 (i.e., 1+1=“2”).

At this point, the first data collection cycle 200 ends and the 2.sup.nddata collection cycle begins. As shown in FIG. 14g , the access point1420 transmits a second BCDP data packet during the broadcast interval210 c, the BCDP data packet being received by network nodes 1410 a, 1410b. Then, as shown in FIG. 14h , network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b retransmitthe BCDP after a random time delay. However, unlike the first datacollection cycle 200, network node 1410 b retransmits the BCDP with itshierarchal level (i.e., “2”) to network node 1410 c, which then proceedsto copy the from_ID 625 and the from_hierarchal_level 620 of the BCDPdata packet to the top of the stack. That is, the network node 1410 cplaces the ID and the hierarchal level of network node 1410 b on top ofits stack.

At this point, the network node 1410 c begins transmitting NNDP datapacket(s) during one of the random access time slots 220 a, 220 b, 220c, . . . , 220 d of the random access communications interval 210 b,since network nodes 1410 c has not yet been assigned one of theassignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n of the timeslotted communications interval 210 a. Network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b,however, have already received their respective time slots and, thus,transmit in time slot 215 a, 215 b respectively.

For exemplary purposes only, as shown in FIG. 14i , network node 1410 ctransmits a single NNDP data packet during random access time slot 220a. Since a PARENT_ID has not yet been assigned, network node 1410 ctransmits the NNDP data packet to the network node whose ID is stored atthe top of the stack (i.e., the ID of network node 1410 b). Then, asshown in FIG. 14j , network node 1410 b retransmits the NNDP data packetto the access point 1420 (NOTE: since network node 1410 c transmittedthe NNDP data packet to the ID at the top of the LIFO stack, this ID hasbeen removed from the stack). At this point, the retransmission of theNNDP by network node 1410 b to the access point 1420 acts as anacknowledgment to network node 1410 c that network node 1410 b hasreceived the NNDP data packet transmitted by network node 1410 c tonetwork node 1410 b. Thus, network node 1410 c assigns network node 1410b as the PARENT_ID and assigns itself a hierarchal level (i.e.,MY_H_LVL) equal to the hierarchal level of network node 1410 bincremented by 1 (i.e., 2+1=“3”). All subsequent transmissions of NNDPdata packets from network node 1410 c will be transmitted to the networknode identified by the PARENT_ID, until communications are lost or untila new network node with a lower hierarchal level is detected and placedon the LIFO stack.

Upon retransmitting the NNDP data packet to the access point 1420,network node 1410 b saves the from_ID 625 as the LAST_FROM_ID. This stepis required so that the network node 1410 b is able to properly routethe subsequent CDP data packet transmitted by the access point 1420 tothe network node 1410 c.

As shown in FIG. 14k , the access point 1420 transmits a CDP data packetto acknowledge the receipt of the NNDP data packet transmitted bynetwork node 1410 c. For this purpose, the access point 1420 uses thesame transmission chain as was used to route the NNDP data packet to theaccess point 1420, except in reverse order. Thus, the access point 1420transmits the CDP data packet destined for network node 1410 c tonetwork node 1410 b (i.e., the to_ID 615 is set to the ID of networknode 1410 b and the destination_ID 910 is set to the ID of network node1410 c).

As shown in FIG. 14l , after receiving the CDP data packet destined fornetwork node 1410 c, network node 1410 b retransmits the CDP data packetto the network node identified by LAST_FROM_ID, i.e., network node 1410b retransmits the CDP data packet to network node 1410 c. After networknode 1410 c receives the CDP data packet, it copies the time_slotinformation 920 to MY_SLOT. In this manner, network node 1410 c isassigned one of the assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . ,215 n. In this exemplary embodiment, network node 1410 c is assigned the3rd time slot 215 c.

In another exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, thesource network node retransmits the CDP acknowledgment data packet witha To_ID 615, a From_ID 625, and a Destination_ID 910 equal to MY_ID,i.e., the source network node ID, when the source network node receivesthe CDP acknowledgment data packet. This retransmission of the CDPacknowledgment data packet may be used by neighboring network nodes, forexample, to help determine an assigned time slot. The reliability of theCDP acknowledge message may be increased, for example, by allowing thesource network node to retransmit the CDP acknowledge data packet withlower power. In this case, the CDP acknowledge data packet would bereceived only by neighboring network nodes, the communication links ofwhich permit reliable communication with the source network node.

It should be appreciated that each of the network nodes 1410 a, 1410 b,1410 c may transmit more than one NNDP data packet within its respectivetime slot. For example, with respect to the exemplary embodimentdiscussed immediately above, network node 1410 c may transmit aplurality of NNDP data packets within its assigned time slot 215 c. Ofcourse, the present invention permits for any number of NNDP datapackets to be transmitted within an assignable time slot 215 a, 215 b,215 c, . . . , 215 n or random access time slot 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . .. , 220 n by ensuring that each assignable time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215c, . . . , 215 n or random access time slot 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . ,220 n is large enough to accommodate the desired number of NNDP datapackets and the maximum number of retransmission required during a chaincommunication. However, for exemplary purposes only, network node 1410 ctransmits three NNDP data packets within its assigned time slot 215 c.

To communicate the three data packets during time slot 215 c, networknode 1410 c may transmit all three NNDP data packets to network node1410 b before network node 1410 b retransmits all three NNDP datapackets to access point 1420. By waiting until all three NNDP datapackets are received before retransmission of the NNDP data packets,network node 1410 b avoids collisions which may occur if network node1410 c transmits a successive NNDP data packet while network node 1410 bis retransmitting a previously received NNDP data packet. However, thismethod of communicating multiple NNDP data packets may be time-consumingif the number of network nodes involved in the chain communicationbetween network node 1410 c and access point 1420 is too large, as eachnetwork node involved in the chain transmission would require adedicated block of time to receive all NNDP data packets beforeretransmission.

To avoid such excessive delays, in an alternative embodiment, networknode 1410 c transmits each NNDP data packet in succession with a timedelay between transmission of successive NNDP data packets. This timedelay should be made large enough to ensure that a network nodereceiving the NNDP data packet retransmission (i.e., network node 1410 bin this example) has enough time to retransmit the NNDP data packet tothe next device in the chain (i.e., access point 1420 in this example)and to receive an “acknowledgement” packet from the next device beforenetwork node 1410 c transmits the next NNDP data packet. It should beappreciated that, although network node 1410 b is capable ofcommunicating directly with access point 1420, a similar delay betweensuccessively transmitted NNDP data packets would be required if networknode 1420 b could not communicate directly with access point 1420, butrather could only communicate directly with another network node, forexample, network node 1410 a. In this case, the “acknowledgement” packetreceived by network node 1410 b would be the NNDP data packetretransmitted by network node 1410 a to access point 1420. In eithercase, the time delay between successively transmitted NNDP data packetsshould be made large enough to ensure that the network node receivingthe NNDP data packet in the chain transmission (i.e., network node 1410b in this example) has enough time to retransmit the NNDP data packetand to receive an NNDP “acknowledgement” packet before network node 1410c transmits subsequent NNDP data packets. In doing so, several packetsmay be transmitted simultaneously and not interfere with each other.Having several non-interfering packets transmitted by different networknodes at the same time shortens the time required for chain transmissionof multiple packets in a time slot.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is seen an exemplary timely organized adhoc network 1600 having multiple access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . ,1605 n, local server 150 and network nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c . . ., 1610 n operable to communicate BCDP, NNDP and command data packets(CDP) with access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n. Multiple accesspoints 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n may be required, for example, whennot every network node 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c . . . , 1610 n is capableof communicating with one access point. This may occur, for example,when network nodes are blocked by obstacles; when groups of networknodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c . . . , 1610 n are separated by largedistances; and/or when a chain communication (the routings) between anetwork node and an access point may require a large number ofintermediate transmissions.

All of the access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n arecommunicatively coupled to each other over a media-independentcommunication link 1615 (hereinafter “MI link 1615”), which is, in turn,coupled to a local server (with database) 150. MI link 1615 may include,for example, a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet, anIntranet, an Ethernet network, a wireless network, an opticalcommunication link, a power-line communication network, or any othernetwork or medium operable to permit access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . .1605 n and server 150 to communicate information with one another.

MI link 1615 is used by each device connected to link 1615, includingaccess points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 n and local server 150 toinform the remaining devices connected to link 1615 (e.g., access points1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 n and/or local server 150) of eachtransmission or receipt of data packets. In this manner, the server 150and/or all of the access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n are keptaware of the state of the entire ad hoc network 1600 at any given time.This “awareness” ensures that access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 ndo not simultaneously transmit information and/or do not assign the sameassignable time slot 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . 215 n to differentnetwork nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c . . . , 1610 n. With respect to oneexemplary embodiment according to the present invention, each accesspoint 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 n transmits a copy on MI link 1615 ofall data packets wirelessly transmitted and/or received to or fromnetwork nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c, . . . , 1610 n. For example, ifaccess point 1605 a transmits a BCDP or CDP data packet, access point1605 a will retransmit a copy of the BCDP or CDP data packet on link1615. Likewise, if access point 1605 a receives an NNDP data packet,access point 1605 a will retransmit a copy of the NNDP data packet on MIlink 1615.

When timely organized ad hoc network 1600 is turned on for the firsttime, access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 n and other devicesconnected to MI link 1615 transmit BCDP data packets in sequence withinthe broadcast time interval 210 c of data collection cycle 200. Thus,the broadcast interval 210 c must be large enough to accommodatesequential transmission of respective broadcast packets by multipleaccess points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 and to ensure that all networknodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c . . . , 1610 n in all hierarchal levelsretransmit the BCDP data packets within the Broadcast Time Interval 210c. The length of the broadcast interval will be determined by the numberof devices on MI link 1615 and/or by the number of hierarchical levels(whichever is bigger) in ad hoc network 1600. With respect to oneexemplary embodiment, broadcast interval 210 a is made large enough toaccommodate all access points in ad hoc network 1600 (i.e., accesspoints 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 n), as well as all network nodes 1610a, 1610 b, 1610 c, . . . , 1610 n dispersed across all hierarchallevels. It should be appreciated that ad hoc network 1600 may includeany number of access points or network nodes and, as such, broadcastinterval 210 c may be made as large or as small as required toaccommodate all devices in ad hoc network 1600.

With respect to one exemplary embodiment according to the presentinvention, each device connected to the MI link 1615 (e.g., each accesspoint 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 n and/or server 150) is assigned adifferent “time-out” period, after which the BCDP data packet istransmitted. Each respective time-out period may be determined, forexample, in accordance with the unique ID (i.e., MY_ID) assigned to eachaccess point 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 n. If the time-out period of aparticular access point 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . 1605 n expires, thataccess point will wirelessly transmit a BCDP data packet, whilesimultaneously (or some time thereafter) transmitting a copy of the BCDPdata packet to the remaining access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605n via link 1615. Once a particular access point transmits its BCDP datapacket, that particular access point remains dormant until the end ofthe broadcast interval (i.e., until the synchro_delay expires). Theremaining access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n, however, do notremain dormant. Rather, upon receiving the BCDP data packet over link1615, each of the remaining access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 nrestarts its time-out period, and the BCDP transmit cycle repeats withinthe broadcast interval 210 c until all remaining access points 1605 a,1605 b, . . . , 1605 n transmit a BCDP data packet. Each of accesspoints 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n transmits a similar BCDP datapacket, except that the FROM_ID and the AP_ID of each transmitted BCDPpacket is changed to the ID of the particular access point transmittingthe packet. Furthermore, each of access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . ,1605 n (except the first one—i.e., the originator of the first BCDP datapacket) adjusts the Synchro_Delay number 715 by an appropriate amount toaccount for the amount of time required to retransmit a BCDP data packetafter receiving the BCDP data packet over MI link 1615. For example,with respect to one exemplary embodiment, each of access points 1605 a,1605 b, . . . , 1605 n subtracts an appropriate amount of time (e.g.,time units) from the Synchro_Delay number 715 representing a time delaybetween receipt of a BCDP data packet over MI link 1615 andretransmission of the BCDP data packet to network 1600. Each of accesspoints 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n also adjusts the total number ofassigned time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n within theassigned time_slotted communications interval 210 a to separate theRandom Access Time Slotted Interval 210 b established by previous accesspoints. In this case, every access point establishes a respective randomaccess time intervals 210 b, which does not overlap with other timeintervals 210 b established by other access points.

Referring to FIG. 17a , there is seen an operational flow of BCDPtransmission in a multiple access point timely organized ad hoc network1600. The sequence begins at start step 1750, and progresses to step1755 upon power-up. After ad hoc network 1600 powers up, all devicesconnected to MI link 1615 (e.g., access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . ,1605 n and/or server 150) begin a power-on timeout counter to ensurethat all access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n have enough timeto initialize. After the power-on timeout expires (see step 1760),broadcast time interval 210 c begins in step 1765. At this stage of thesequence, each device connected to MI link 1615 (e.g., access points1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n and/or server 150) resets an internalclock to begin countdown of an internal “time-out” period, which is usedto mark a transmit time for a BCDP data packet. Since the time-outperiods differ from one another (see above), no two time-out periodswill expire at the same time.

Once the time-out period of one of the access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . .. , 1605 n expires (see step 1770), that access point, for example,access point 1605 a, wirelessly transmits a BCDP data packet to thenetwork nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c, . . . , 1610 n (see step 1775) andthen remains dormant for the remainder of the broadcast time interval210 c (see step 1780).

In addition to wirelessly transmitting each BCDP to the network nodes1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c, . . . , 1610 n, access point 1605 a transmits acopy of the BCDP data packet to the remaining access points 1605 b, 1605c, . . . , 1605 n via MI link 1615. In this manner, access points 1605a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n are kept aware of all packets transmittedand/or received by other access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n.Thus, the dynamic self-routing protocol employed by ad hoc network 1600permits each access point to individually determine the total number ofhierarchal levels and access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n in adhoc network 1600. For example, after transmitting its own BCDP datapacket, access point 1605 a will listen to MI link 1615 during theremainder of the broadcast interval 210 c. By simply counting the numberof BCDP packets communicated over MI link 1615 during the broadcast timeinterval, access point 1605 a can determine the total number of accesspoints 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n in ad hoc network 1600, and by“listening” to transmitting network nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c, . . ., 1610 n over the wireless network and the MI link 1615 during datacollection cycle 200, access point 1605 a can determine the total numberof network nodes and hierarchal levels within network 1600.

After the remaining access points 1610 b, 1610 c, . . . , 1610 n receivethe copied BCDP data packet transmitted by access point 1605 a over MIlink 1615, the remaining access points 1610 b, 1610 c, . . . , 1610 nreset their time-out counters, thereby restarting their respectivetime-out periods (see step 1785). The sequence then proceeds back tostep 1770. As can be readily appreciated, the above-described sequencewill repeat until all access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 ntransmit a BCDP data packet during the broadcast time interval 210 c.

As each access point 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n transmits a BCDPdata packet, an appropriate amount of time unit delay is subtracted fromthe synchro_delay number 715 (Byte 6) of successively transmittedbroadcast data packets BCDPs. This is required to ensure that alldevices within network 1600 (e.g., network nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c,. . . , 1610 n, access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n, and/orserver 150) are “synchronized” in the sense that all the devices beginthe time slotted communication interval 210 a at the same time.

Access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n also monitor thesynchro_delay number 715 (i.e., Byte 6 of the Broadcast Data structureillustrated in FIG. 7) in step 1790 to determine whether the broadcasttime interval 210 c has ended. If so, the time slotted communicationsinterval 210 a begins (see step 1795), and BCDP data packet transmissiondoes not resume until the beginning of the next broadcast time interval210 c (or supplementary broadcast time interval 210 d—see below) (seestep 1798).

Referring now to FIG. 17b , there is seen an operational sequence of asingle access point, for example, access point 1605 a, during broadcasttime interval 210 c. The sequence begins at step 2005 and proceeds tostep 2010, at which time the broadcast time interval 210 c (orsupplemental broadcast time interval 210 d) begins. At this time, accesspoint 1605 a restarts its time-out interval and listens to MI link 1615in step 2015 to determine whether any other access points 1605 b, 1605c, . . . , 1605 n transmitted a BCDP data packet. If not, the sequenceproceeds to step 2020, during which access point 1605 a checks whetherits time-out interval has expired. If the interval did not expire, thesequence proceeds back to step 2015. If access point 1605 a detects aBCDP transmission from another access point in step 2015, access point1605 a restarts its time-out interval counter (see step 2025) and thenproceeds to step 2020.

If access point 1605 a determines that its time-out interval has expired(see step 2020), access point 1605 a transmits a BCDP data packet instep 2030 and then waits until the beginning of the time slottedcommunications interval 210 a to begin processing NNDP and CDP datapackets. Access point 1605 a will not transmit additional BCDP datapackets until the beginning of the next broadcast time interval (i.e.,until the beginning of the next normal or supplementary broadcast timeinterval—see below). Once a new broadcast time interval is detected (seestep 2035), the sequence repeats by proceeding back to step 2010.

Referring now to FIGS. 18a through 18i , there is seen an exemplarytimely organized ad hoc wireless network 1800 having multiple accesspoints upon power up. As shown in FIG. 18a , the network 1800 includesnetwork nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, and 1610 c, as well as access points (Aand B) 1605 a, 1605 b communicatively coupled to one another via MI link1615. In this exemplary embodiment, network node 1610 a is capable ofdirectly communicating only with access point 1605 a, and network node1610 b is capable of communicating only with access point 1605 b, due toobstacle 1426. Network node 1610 c is capable of communicating only withnetwork node 1610 b, since obstacles 1426, 1427 prevent network node1610 c from directly communicating with both access points 1605 a, 1605b, as well as network node 1610 a.

As shown in FIG. 18a , upon power up, none of the network nodes 1610 a,1610 b, 1610 c has assigned itself a hierarchal level, a PARENT_ID, orAccess Point Affiliation AP_ID. Also, none of the network nodes 1610 a,1610 b, 1610 c has a network node ID or AP_ID at the top of itsrespective LIFO stack. Similar to the ad hoc network of FIGS. 14athrough 14l , upon power up, each of the network nodes 1610 a, 1610 b,1610 c is in a “listening” state, in which it waits for a BCDP datapacket to be received.

Referring now to FIG. 18b , access point 1605 a transmits the first BCDPdata packet wirelessly toward network nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c andover link 1615 to access point 1605 b, in a manner more fully describedabove. The BCDP data packet is received only by network node 1610 a,which processes the BCDP data packet according to step 1120 of FIG. 11.In this manner, network node 1610 a determines that the BCDP data packetwas transmitted by access point 1605 a (Access Point A), since thefrom_ID 625 of the BCDP data packets identifies access point 1605 a.With respect to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 18a through 18i ,access points 1605 a, 1605 b are assigned unique MY_IDs so that networknodes 1610 a, 1610 b, and 1610 c can determine from which access point aparticular BCDP data packet was transmitted. As shown in FIG. 18b ,network node 1610 a copies the FROM_ID 625 of access point 1605 a andpushes the from_hierarchal_level 620 (i.e., level “1” for access points)of the BCDP data packet to the top of the LIFO stack. Network node 1610a also pushes the Affiliated Access Point's AP_ID to the top of its LIFOstack.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18c , network node 1610 a retransmits the BCDPafter a random delay. As described above, this is required to ensurethat all devices within network 1600 (e.g., network nodes 1610 a, 1610b, 1610 c, . . . , 1610 n, access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n,and/or server 150) are “synchronized” in the sense that all the devicesend the broadcast time interval 210 c and begin the time slottedcommunication interval 210 a at the same time. However, since neithernetwork node 1610 b nor network node 1610 c can communicate with networknode 1610 a or access point 1605 a, network nodes 1610 b, 1610 c neitherreceive nor retransmit the BCDP transmitted by access point 1605 a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 18d , access point 1605 b transmits a second BCDPdata packet toward network nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c and over MI link1615 to access point 1605 a. The BCDP data packet is received only bynetwork node 1610 b, which processes the BCDP data packet according tostep 1120 of FIG. 11, as described above. In this manner, network node1610 b determines that the BCDP data packet was transmitted by accesspoint 1605 b, since the from_ID 625 of the BCDP identifies access point1605 b. Network node 1610 b then copies the from_ID 625 of access point1605 b and the from_hierarchal_level 620 (i.e., level “1” for accesspoints) of the BCDP data packet to the top of the LIFO stack, as shownin FIG. 18d . Network node 1610 b also pushes the Affiliated AccessPoint's AP_ID (i.e., access point 1605 b) to the top of its LIFO stack.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18e , network node 1610 b retransmits the BCDPafter a random delay, as described above. Network node 1610 c receivesthe retransmitted BCDP data packet, which contains the AP_ID 710, theFROM_ID 625 of network node 1610 b, and the hierarchal level of networknode 1610 b (e.g., level “2”). Network node 1610 c pushes thisinformation to the top of its LIFO stack and retransmits the BCDP datapacket in a manner more fully described above with respect to theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14a through 14l . Theretransmissions of BCDP packets could be performed with power reduction(0 dB or more) to ensure that the parent ID, which is derived from BCDPpackets and used by network nodes for routings, is most reliable.

After the broadcast time interval 210 c ends, each of the network nodes1610 a, 1610 b, and 1610 c begins to transmit NNDP data packet(s) duringone of the random access time slots 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, . . . , 220 dof the random access communications interval 210 b, since none of thenetwork nodes 1610 a, 1610 b, or 1610 c has yet been assigned one of theassignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n of the timeslotted communications interval 210 a.

For exemplary purposes only, access point 1605 a receives the NNDP datapacket(s) of network node 1610 a first, for example, during the firstrandom access time slot 220 a. At this point, as shown in FIG. 18f , theaccess point 1605 a transmits a CDP data packet to network node 1610 aduring the first random access time slot 220 a. After the network node1610 a receives the CDP data packet, it copies the time_slot information920 to MY_SLOT. In this manner, network node 1610 a is assigned one ofthe assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n. In thisexemplary embodiment, network node 1610 a is assigned the 1st time slot215 a. Network node 1610 a also assigns the ID of access point 1605 a asthe PARENT_ID and assigns the hierarchal level of access point 1605 a(e.g., level “1”) to the PARENT_H_LVL, as well as assigning itself anincremented hierarchal level of the hierarchal level of access point1605 a (i.e., 1+1=“2”). Network Node 1610 a retransmits the received CDPdata packet with reduced power (0 db or more) to “announce” to network1600 a successful communication session. Neighboring network nodes thatreceive (i.e., hear) the retransmission of the CDP data packet, may (butnot necessarily) push the ID of the retransmitting network node (i.e.,network node 1605 a in this example) to the top of their respective LIFOstacks, as receipt of the retransmitted CDP may indicate that thetransmitting network node (i.e., network node 1605 a in this example)may be used in part of a subsequent chain communication (routing).

At the same time or immediately thereafter, access point 1605 atransmits a copy of the CDP data packet over link 1615, as shown in FIG.18g . The copied CDP data packet is received by access point 1605 b,thereby enabling access point 1605 b to determine that the 1st time slot215 a has now been assigned.

Sometime thereafter, access point 1605 b receives the NNDP datapacket(s) of network node 1610 b, for example, during the third randomaccess time slot 220 c. At this point, the access point 1605 b transmitsa CDP data packet to network node 1610 b during the third random accesstime slot 220 c. Network Node 1610 b retransmits the received CDP datapacket with reduced power (0 dB or more) to “announce” to network 1600 asuccessful communication session. Neighboring network nodes that receive(i.e., hear) the retransmission of the CDP data packet, may (but notnecessarily) push the ID of the retransmitting network node (i.e.,network node 1605 b in this example) to the top of their respective LIFOstacks. After the network node 1610 b receives the CDP data packet, itcopies the time_slot information 920 to MY_SLOT. In this manner, networknode 1610 b is assigned one of the assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b,215 c, . . . , 215 n. In this exemplary embodiment, network node 1610 bis assigned the 2nd time slot 215 b. Network node 1610 b also assignsthe ID of access point 1605 b as the PARENT_ID and assigns thehierarchal level of access point 1605 b (e.g., level “1”) to thePARENT_H_LVL and also assigns itself an incremented hierarchal level ofthe hierarchal level of access point 1605 b (i.e., 1+1=“2”).

At the same time or immediately thereafter, access point 1605 btransmits a copy of the CDP data packet over link 1615, as shown in FIG.18i . The copied CDP data packet is received by access point 1605 a,thereby enabling access point 1605 a to determine that the 2nd time slot215 b has been assigned.

Then, access point 1605 b receives the NNDP data packet(s) of networknode 1610 c through network node 1610 b, for example, during the randomaccess time slot 220 n. At this point, as shown in FIG. 18h , the accesspoint 1605 b transmits a CDP data packet with destination address of1610 c (destination_ID 910) to network node 1610 b, and network node1610 b retransmits the CDP packet to network Node 1610 c during therandom access time slot 220 n. Network Node 1610 c retransmits thereceived CDP data packet with reduced power to “announce” to network1600 a successful communication session. Neighboring network nodes thatreceive (i.e., hear) the retransmission of the CDP data packet, may (butnot necessarily) push the ID of the retransmitting network node (i.e.,network node 1610 c in this example) to the top of their respective LIFOstacks, as receipt of the retransmitted CDP may indicate that thetransmitting network node (i.e., network node 1610 c in this example)may be used in part of a subsequent chain communication routing.Subsequent communication with network node 1610 c in a chaincommunication need not be performed at reduced power. Measuring thereceived signal strength indication (RSSI) or measuring the receiveddata bit error rate (BER) by the network node is used also or in placeof reduced power transmission as an indicator for reliable Network Nodepartner for routings.

After the network node 1610 c receives the CDP data packet, it copiesthe time_slot information 920 to MY_SLOT. In this manner, network node1610 c is assigned one of the assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c,. . . , 215 n. In this exemplary embodiment, network node 1610 c isassigned the 3rd time slot 215 c. Network node 1610 c also assigns theID of network node 1610 b as the PARENT_ID and assigns the hierarchallevel of network node 1610 b (e.g., level “2”) to the PARENT_H_LVL andalso assigns itself an incremented hierarchal level of the hierarchallevel of NN 1610 b (i.e., 2+1=“3”).

At the same time or immediately thereafter, access point 1605 btransmits a copy of the CDP data packet over link 1615, as shown in FIG.18i . The copied CDP data packet is received by access point 1605 a,thereby enabling access point 1605 a to determine that the 3rd time slot215 c has been assigned.

At this point, the first data collection cycle 200 ends and the 2nd datacollection cycle begins. After each collection cycle 200, access points1605 a, 1605 b can determine the number of network nodes in ad hocnetwork 1600 by the number of assignable time slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c,. . . , 215 n assigned during the collection cycle 200. Communicationproceeds much the same away as described with respect to the exemplaryembodiment of FIGS. 14a through 14 l.

The dynamic self-routing protocol described above permits ad hoc network1600 to synchronize multiple network nodes, regardless of which AccessPoint was the source of the received broadcast. Since each network nodeis automatically assigned to an access point, implementation ofadditional access points and/or the routing of additional network nodesmay be achieved without requiring additional complex routing softwareand/or hardware. Additional access points may be added as desired, withthe dynamic self-routing protocol, described above, automaticallyadapting.

Referring now to FIG. 19, there is seen a second exemplary datacollection cycle 1900 according to the present invention, datacollection cycle 1900 being indefinitely repetitive. Data collectioncycle 1900 is divided into a main data collection cycle 1910,supplementary data collection cycle 1920 and one or more additionalsupplementary data collection cycles 1930. The main collection cycle1910 further divided into a broadcast interval 210 c, an assignedtime_slotted communications interval 210 a, and a random accesstime_slotted communications interval 210 b. The supplementary datacollection cycle 1920 is divided into a supplementary broadcast interval210 d and a supplementary random access time-slotted communicationsinterval 210 e having supplementary random access time slots 1920 a,1920 b, 1920 c, . . . , 1920 n. As is readily evident, data collectioncycle 1900 is similar to data collection cycle 200, with the exceptionof supplementary broadcast interval 210 d and supplementary randomaccess time slotted communications interval 210 e. During thesupplementary broadcast interval 210 d, all access points (e.g., accesspoints 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n of FIG. 16) transmit BCDP datapackets in much the same way as the transmission of BCDP data packetsduring the normal broadcast interval 210 c. Any network node that didnot receive a BCDP data packet transmitted during the normal broadcastinterval 210 c or any network node that did not receive a CDP datapacket intended for the network node (e.g., due to a transient obstacle)may retransmit an NNDP data packet during one of the supplementaryrandom access time slots 1920 a, 1920 b, 1920 c, . . . , 1920 n of thesupplementary random access time_slotted communications interval 210 e.One of the access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n may thentransmit an additional CDP data packet to the network node. In thismanner, the transmitting access point may assign one of the assignabletime slots 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, . . . , 215 n to the network nodewithout having to wait until the end of the next data collection cycle1900.

It should be appreciated that not every data collection cycle 200, 1900need include the supplementary broadcast interval 210 d and thesupplementary random access time slotted communications interval 210 e.These intervals 210 d, 210 e are only helpful if at least one networknode 1610 a, 1610 b, 1610 c, . . . , 1610 n lost synchronization. Accesspoints 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n can determine this event by simplycomparing the number of network nodes transmitting NNDP data packets inthe previous data collection cycle 200, 1900 to the number of networknodes transmitting NNDP data packets in the current data collectioncycle 200, 1900. If the number of network nodes transmitting in thepresent data collection cycle 200, 1900 is less than the number ofnetwork nodes transmitting in the previous data collection cycle 200,100 a, access points 1605 a, 1605 b, . . . , 1605 n may broadcast asupplementary BCDP data packet during the supplementary broadcastinterval 210 d, in a manner more fully described above. It should alsobe appreciated that after the current supplementary data collectioncycle is completed, additional supplementary BCDP data packet(s) may betransmitted to create additional supplementary data collection cycles inorder to collect more NNDP data packets from network nodes 1610 a, 1610b, 1610 c, . . . , 1610 n which did not yet transmit during the currentdata collection cycle 1900.

Referring now to FIG. 20, there is seen multiple exemplary timelyorganized ad hoc networks including network nodes having softdependencies. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 20 includes two timelyorganized ad hoc networks 2100 a, 2100 b.

Network 2100 a is a multiple access point network similar to the oneillustrated in FIG. 16. Network 2100 a includes two access points (A &B) 2105 a, 2105 b and a server 2120 a coupled to one another overmedia-independent communication link 2115 a (hereinafter “MI Link 2115a”). These devices 2105 a, 2105 b, 2120 a communicate with network nodes2110 a, 2110 b, 2110 c, . . . , 2110 g. Network 2100 b is a singleaccess point network similar to the one illustrated in FIGS. 14a through14l . Network 2100 b includes one access point 2105 c and a server 2120b coupled to one another over media-independent communication link 2115b (hereinafter “MI Link 2115 b”). These devices 2105 a, 2105 b, 2120communicate with network nodes 2110 h, 2110 i, 2110 j, . . . , 2110 l.It should be appreciated, however, that there may exist any number ofnetworks, each of which may include any number of access points,servers, and network nodes. It should also be appreciated that, althoughnetworks 2100 a, 2100 b include separate respective servers 2120 a, 2120b at separate locations, servers 2120 a, 2120 b may be located in thesame generally vicinity and/or networks 2100 a, 2100 b may be managed bya single server.

As can be seen in FIG. 20, network node 2110 g is capable ofcommunicating with both networks 2100 a, 2100 b. That is, network node2110 g is capable of direct communication with access point (B) 2105 bof network 2100 a and with network node 2110 h of network 2100 b. Asdescribed more fully above, a network node can determine its hierarchalposition within a particular network by processing BCDP or CDP datapackets transmitted by an access point and/or by processing NNDP datapackets transmitted by neighboring network nodes. If a particularnetwork node is capable of communicating with more than one independentnetwork (e.g., network node 2110 g in the example illustrated in FIG.20), that network node can determine its relative hierarchal levelwithin each network, and then dynamically “soft-affiliate” itself to aparticular network based on a predefined set of rules. For example, withrespect to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 20, network node 2110 g will“soft affiliate” itself with the network requiring the least number ofintermediate transmissions (i.e., hops) during a chain communication(i.e., the network within which network node 2110 g will have the lowesthierarchal level). However, it should be appreciated that network node2110 g may affiliate itself to a particular network based on otherrules, for example, to a particular network requiring the least amountof power to transmit, or to a particular network having at least onedesired “type” of network node. Regarding the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 20, network node 2110 g is at a hierarchal level of “2” withrespect to access point 2105 b of network 2100 a and at a hierarchallevel of “4” with respect to access point 2105 c of network 2100 b.Thus, as shown in FIG. 20, network node 2110 g “affiliates” itself withnetwork 2100 a. Of course, upon power-up, a network node (e.g., networknode 2110 g) does not know its relative hierarchal level with respect toeither network 2100 a, 2100 b. Thus, upon power-up, network nodes mayinitially affiliate themselves based on other rules (e.g., a networknode can affiliate itself with the network from which it receives thefirst BCDP data packet).

Once affiliated to a network, a particular network node (e.g., networknode 2110 g in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 20), that network nodewill retransmit BCDP data packets only from the affiliated network. Thatis, network nodes retransmit only those BCDP data packets transmittedfrom the affiliated network. With respect to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 20, for example, network node 2110 g will retransmit only thoseBCDP data packets transmitted from affiliated network 2100 b.Alternatively, the affiliated network node may monitor data packets fromneighboring networks to check if its hierarchal level within anon-affiliated network has changed to a level that is below thehierarchal level in the affiliated network. For example, if a particularnetwork node has a hierarchal level of “3” in a first network and ahierarchal level of “4” in a second network, this network node willaffiliate itself with the first network. However, if changingenvironmental conditions (e.g., interference, jamming, multipath,fadings, moving objects, etc.) cause the network node to have a lowerhierarchal level within the second network for certain period of time,the network node can change its affiliation and begin communicatingwithin the second network. By monitoring data packets from both thefirst and second networks, the network node can dynamically change itsaffiliation to an access point of a network having bettercharacteristics for chain transmission. The ability to changeaffiliations from one access point of one network to another accesspoint from another network is referred to herein as “Soft-Dependencies.”

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,network nodes are “hard affiliated” (i.e., hard-dependency) with aparticular network. Hard dependencies may be required, for example, iftwo independent wireless networks are located close together, and“cross-communication” between the networks is not desired. For example,if two different owners of two different (but adjacent) apartmentcomplexes employ an ad hoc network according to the present invention,it would not be desirable for one of the owners to be capable ofreceiving data transmitted by the network of the other owner, and viceversa.

If a particular network node if “hard affiliated” to a particularnetwork, that network node will communicate only within the affiliatednetwork, regardless of whether the network node can receive data packetsfrom a different network, and regardless of whether the hierarchal levelof the network node would be lower in a non-affiliated network. Withrespect to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,“hard-affiliation” is effectuated by assigning a network identifier toeach network node. The identifier uniquely identifies the network withinwhich it must communicate. The identifier may comprise, for example,information identifying a particular access point or groups of accesspoints within a particular network or “authorized” group of networks.

With respect to another exemplary embodiment according to the presentinvention, extended functionality is achieved by implementing differenttypes of BCDP data packets in addition to the “standard” BCDP datapacket structure discussed above. In this manner, different types ofcommunication modes may be initiated (and identified) by thetransmission of the respective types of BCDP data packets. For thispurpose, each BCDP data packet may include information (data bits)permitting the network nodes in the network to determine the type ofBCDP data packet and, hence, the type of communications mode datainitiated by the BCDP data packet. This information may be embedded, forexample, into at least a portion of the RESERVED space identified inFIG. 7. For example, the first nibble of Byte 8 (RESERVED) of the BCDPdata packet may be used to identify the “type” of BCDP data packet, witha “0000” identifying a first type of BCDP data packet, a “0001”identifying a second type of BCDP data packet, and so on. As can bereadily appreciated by those in the art, the bit space of the RESERVEDnibble of Byte 8 (i.e., four bits) will allow up to 16 different typesof BCDP data packets. However, it should be appreciated that any amountof bit space may be utilized to accommodate any desired number of BCDPdata packet types. For example, the RESERVED nibble of Byte 7 may beadditionally used to expand the number of BCDP data packet types to 256BCDP data packet types (i.e., 8 bits).

Regardless of which type of BCDP data packet is transmitted, each BCDPdata packet is transmitted by the access point(s) during the broadcasttime interval 210 c, and each BCDP data packet (regardless of type) isreceived and retransmitted by the network nodes in a manner, similar tothat described above, to ensure that all network nodes of the networkreceive and decode the BCDP data packet.

Of course, the first type of BCDP data packet is the “standard” BCDPdata packet described in detail above, and it is this standard BCDP datapacket which initiates (and identifies) the beginning of a “standard”communications mode and begins a “standard” data collection cycle 200,1900. A second “type” of BCDP data packet (called a Device Oriented BCDPdata packet) may be used to initiate a special type of communicationsmode, within which information from only a single “type” of network nodeis required to be received by an access point. For example, if a timelyorganized ad hoc network according to the present invention is installedin a large apartment building, each of the network nodes may be operableto monitor one or more parameters in its vicinity using one or moresensors and/or measuring devices. The measured parameters may include,for example, the temperature of a room, lighting conditions of a room,energy usage, smoke and CO detector data, elevator(s) conditions, dooractivation data, HVAC system parameters, pressure data, vibration data,etc. If, at a particular point in time, the access point requiredinformation only from those network nodes capable of monitoringtemperature (i.e., a type of network-node capable of measuringtemperature), it would be wasteful to initiate a standard communicationsmode containing a standard data collection cycle 200, 1900, in which allnetwork nodes transmit NNDP data packets to the access point, includingthose that are not of the type capable of monitoring temperature. Thus,to prevent such wasteful utilization of time and resources, the serveror access point(s) may transmit a Device Oriented BCDP data packet toall of the network nodes in the timely-organized ad hoc network, so thatonly those network nodes of the desired type will respond. This mayallow for a shorter data collection cycle if less than the entire numberof network nodes in the network are of the type identified by the DeviceOriented Node BCDP data packet.

In certain situations, it may be desirable to understand the efficiencyof a particular timely-organized ad hoc network. That is, it may bedesirable to understand, for example, how many network nodes are capableof communicating directly with the access point(s) without requiring achain transmission. For this purpose, another type of BCDP data packet,called a Local BCDP data packet, may be employed. Transmission of theLocal BCDP data packet will initiate a special type of communicationsmode (i.e., a local vicinity mode), in which only those network nodesthat are capable of communicating directly with the access point(s)(i.e., network nodes having a hierarchal level of “2”) transmit NNDPdata packets during the assigned or random access time-slottedcommunications interval 210 a, 210 b.

In certain situations, it may be desirable to send the same command toevery network node. For example, at the start of winter, it may bedesirable to raise the thermostat setting of every apartment in a largeapartment complex. If a timely-organized ad hoc network according to thepresent invention is employed in the complex, and the network nodesarranged in the respective apartments are capable of controlling thethermostats, it would be desirable to change the thermostat settings ofall apartments to the same level.

If the server and/or access point(s) were to initiate a standardcommunications mode and standard data collection cycle using a standardBCDP data packet, the thermostat adjustment commands would becommunicated to the network nodes using numerous respective CDP datapackets, in a manner more fully described above—one CDP data packet foreach network node in the ad hoc network. However, by transmitting aGlobal Command BCDP data packet, the server and/or access point(s) maysend the same command to all network nodes using a single packet duringa Global Command Communication mode. The Global Command BCDP data packetcontains embedded information (data bits) instructing all network nodesto perform the same command, for example, to set all the thermostats ofall apartments to the same level.

Since the data collection cycle initiated by the Global Command BCDPdata packet is intended only to communicate commands to the networknodes, NNDP data packet transmission from network nodes to accesspoint(s) is not required and, as such, may be dispensed with. However,it should be appreciated that a data collection cycle could be initiatedby a Global Command BCDP data packet also. In this case the networknodes will transmit NNDP data packets during either or both of theassigned or random access time-slotted communication intervals 210 a,210 b.

Another type of BCDP data packet is the Direct Command BCDP data packet.This packet initiates a communications mode (i.e., the Direct Commandcommunication mode), in which only a single network node, identified bythe BCDP data packet, communicates NNDP data packets during either orboth of the assigned or random access time-slotted communicationintervals 210 a, 210 b. The remaining network nodes not identified bythe Direct Command BCDP data packet will remain dormant until the nextBCDP data packet is transmitted.

It should be appreciated that each type of BCDP data packet could alsobe initiated by any device connected to the media-independentcommunication link, by one of the plurality of network nodes, or by oneof the plurality of device radios.

In accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention,it may be desirable for one or more of the network nodes to communicateimportant and/or time sensitive information in an “alarmsituation”—i.e., a situation of particular importance that may requireimmediate attention. When a network node or a device radio detects analarm situation, for example, if the network node detects fire or smoke,a special communications mode (i.e., an Alarm Broadcast communicationmode) may be initiated by the network node itself by transmitting aAlarm BCDP data packet. The Alarm BCDP data packet is received andretransmitted by all network nodes in much the same manner as withregular BCDP data packets, in a manner more fully described above. It isbelieved that the Alarm Broadcast communications mode is a fast andreliable way for a network node or device radio to transmit informationrelating to the alarm conditions to the access point(s) and/or server.In another example embodiment, an alarm condition “wakes up” the deviceradio from sleep or idle mode and the device radio generates the AlarmBroadcast BCDP data packet containing the alarm information. The Alarmbroadcast could be addressed to certain Access Points from the networkif the alarm information is important only for the selected accesspoints only.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, one or more network nodes can beassigned more than one time slot. FIG. 21 illustrates an operationalflow diagram for data communication during an exemplary data collectioncycle where one or more nodes can be assigned more than one time slotaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a repeating data cycle. Entering the cycle at step2110, the network waits for the next data collection cycle. In step2120, a new data collection cycle starts and a broadcast intervalstarts. The access points transmit the broadcast communications datapacket data packet during the broadcast interval. The BCDP data packetare then received by network nodes. Each of network nodes processes theBCDP data packet to determine the specific access point that originallysent the packet, since a section of a BCDP identifies a transmittingaccess point.

Timers are synchronized in step 2130 so that the server, the accesspoints and the network nodes are aware of the temporal position withinthe cycle. In step 2140, the network nodes rebroadcast. Duringrebroadcast, the network nodes transmits a copy of the NNDP data packetto the access points. This “retransmission” is received by networknodes, thereby permitting the network nodes to acknowledge that the NNDPdata packet transmitted from network node was actually received bynetwork node. That is, the retransmitted NNDP data packet is also an“acknowledgment” NNDP data packet.

The time-slotted communications interval begins in step 2150.

In step 2160, if the network node does not have a pending assigned timeslot, then the cycle skips to step 2190. If there is a pending assignedtime slot, the cycle continues to step 2165. In step 2165, the networknodes wait for the next time slot to begin.

In step 2170, the network node checks whether the current time slotbelongs to it. Either the current time slot is assigned to the networknode, or the node has chosen the time slot during the random accessinterval, as explained further below. If the time slot does not belongto the network node, the method continues with step 2160.

In step 2175, if the timeslot belongs to the network node, the networknode transmits its node information message in one or more data packetsduring the time slot. In step 2180, the node obtains one or moreassigned time slots for the next data collection cycle. In step 2185,the network node checks that its transmissions were acknowledged andthat it obtained assigned time slots for the next data collection cycle.If any transmissions were not acknowledged or time slots in the nextcycle were not assigned, processing continues at step 2160.

Turning to step 2190, a network node determines whether it has moreinformation to transmit. If not, processing passes to the next cycle atstep 2110. If so, in step 2195 the node chooses a time slot in therandom access interval. Then in step 2197, the node checks whether thecurrent data collection cycle has expired. If not, control passes tostep 2165 where the node waits in steps 2160-2170 until the chosenrandom access time slot occurs so that the node can transmit informationin step 2175. Additional supplementary data collection cycles can occurafter the main data collection cycle has ended. Each supplementary datacollection cycle comprises additional random access time slots that thenetwork node can choose from.

FIG. 22 illustrates a block diagram for a topographical displaygenerator for an ad hoc network, also known in a preferred embodiment asthe 3-D Radio Links Visualization Application. As shown in FIG. 22, theapparatus comprises a processor 2210, a memory 2220, a computer-readablemedium 2230, an input device coupled to the processor 2240, a radiofrequency transceiver coupled to the processor 2250; a communicationsinterface coupled to the memory 2260, a display coupled to theprocessor, and software 2280. When software 2280 is copied fromcomputer-readable medium 2230 into memory 2220 by processor 2210 andexecuted, it causes processor 2210 to obtain a diagram of a networklocation from input device 2240 or computer readable medium 2230. Thediagram may be a simple two dimensional representation of the networklocation such as the diagram shown in FIGS. 23A, 25A, and 25B which showa floor plan for a building (one or more floors) and the network nodelocations. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 23B and 24, the diagram maybe a three dimensional representation of a network location. The diagramaccording to the invention shows the various rooms on each floor/levelof a structure/building. Most preferably, the diagram is a threedimensional representation of a structure/building including, inaddition to a plan view, depth and height. If such a diagram for astructure/building is not pre-existing (e.g., a physical rendering ofthe physical space of a building), it can be created from architecturalplans and/or photographs and/or other software programs.

Next, processor 2210 will obtain the identities of the devicescomprising the network from input device 2240 or computer readablemedium 2230 and will determine communication links between networkdevices, and graphically represent on display 2270 the devices and theconnection links in the diagram. A variety of information may be used todetermine locations of the network devices including the paths ofcommunication between network devices, the routing scheme, hierarchallevels assigned to network devices, the Receive Signal Strength andtime. The first device that wants to find its location or instructed todo so from the Server to which the Access Point connected to will issuea special broadcast message that all other devices that can receive thebroadcast message from first device (special broadcast originatingdevice) directly will repeat this broadcast message, the repeatedbroadcast message will be received by the server. The Server will beable to calculate the position of the first device relative to thedevices that repeated the special broadcast from the first device. Thefirst device also will be able to calculate its relative position toothers based on received repeats of the special broadcast from otherdevices. Accordingly, the present invention can effectively estimate thelocation of a network device within a physical space based on theinformation about the other devices with which it communicates. Thedevice location function of the present invention is particularly usefulwhen other location methods, such as GPS using satellites, are notavailable. In addition, due to the continuous nature of thecommunication cycle according to the present invention, the inventionsability to continuously operate the location feature for one or morenetwork devices provides a dynamic topography. The invention has theability to find the location(s) of moving network devices within a knownphysical space. The display updates the location of a network device if,based on the most recent information received, an existing location isno longer accurate.

FIG. 23A is a diagram illustrating a display generated by the computersystem in one embodiment with a simple two dimensional display. In moreparticular detail of the operation of a preferred embodiment, theapplication creates a graphical representation of a Intech21 radiofrequency ad hoc network. In a graphical user interface window 2305 ondisplay 2270, the application displays symbols for access points 2310and nodes 2320, 2330 of the network, and then generates arrowed polylines representing communication links 2340 between first nodes 2320 andsecond nodes 2330 or first nodes 2320 and access points 2310.

The application allows the user to create a diagram 2350, or to import adiagram from an external file, representing the location of the network,e.g., the floor plan of a building. FIG. 23B illustrates an exemplarythree dimensional floor plan. The application also allows the user toinput information, or import information from a database, regarding thenodes and access points of the network. The application will then createa symbol corresponding to each of the access points and nodes in thenetwork. The user may then drag and drop each node symbol and accesspoint symbol to its proper location on the diagram.

Using a radio frequency device such as a sniffer, such as that disclosedin International PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/62036, entitled “PacketSniffer for Ad Hoc Network”, incorporated by reference herein, theapplication will obtain data regarding each communication link in thenetwork and store it in an appropriate data structure such as an array.For each communication link between a first node and a second node oraccess point, the application will draw an arrowed poly line 2340 in theuser interface originating at a first node symbol and ending at a secondnode symbol or access point symbol.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23A, each arrowed poly lineconsists of five line segments. A first arrowed poly line comprises afirst line segment of a predefined length drawn downward from the bottomof the first node symbol, and a second line segment of a predefinedlength is drawn leftward from the left side of the second node symbol oraccess point symbol. An undisplayed reference rectangle is created withcorners located at the end point of the first line segment (x1, y1), theend point of the second line segment (x2, y2), and the points x1, y2 andx2, y1. A reference line is created between the midpoints of the shortersides of the rectangle. A third line segment is drawn from the end pointof the first line segment (x1, y1) to a point on the reference line suchthat the third line segment is oriented at a 45-degree angle from theadjoining sides of the reference rectangle. A fourth line segment isdrawn from the end point of the second line segment (x2, y2) to a pointon the reference line such that the fourth line segment is oriented at a45-degree angle from the adjoining sides of the reference rectangle. Afifth line segment is drawn from the end point of the third line segmentto the endpoint of the fourth line segment along the reference line. Anarrow is drawn on the first line segment pointing downward.

In an alternative embodiment, additional line segments may be used tosmooth the arrowed poly line or avoid drawing the arrowed poly line overa node or access point symbol.

The communication links displayed in the interface are updated as datais received from the sniffer. The application may keep a history ofcommunication link data for troubleshooting purposes and save it to afile, known as a load file.

A node symbol may display, through graphics, colors, or otherwise, datapertaining to the node, including the signal strength emanating from thenode as received by the node to which it is linked; the ID number of thenode; the hierarchal level of the node; whether the node is linkedproperly with the network; and how often the node's transmission islost. See FIGS. 23B, 24, 25A and 25B. When the user clicks on the node,its communication link to the access point may be highlighted.

The application also allows the user to generate a tree diagramrepresenting the communication links in the network from data obtainedfrom the sniffer or from the load file such as shown in FIGS. 25A and25B. The first level of the tree displays the access points, the secondlevel of the tree displays the nodes connected to the access points, andeach higher level displays those nodes which are connected to the nodesin the previous level. When the user clicks on a node, all of the nodeson its communication link to the access point may be highlighted.

The user may select only a portion of the load file to be displayed inthe tree diagram.

Having thus described at least illustrative embodiments of theinvention, various modifications and improvements will readily occur tothose skilled in the art and are intended to be within the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of exampleonly and is not intended as limiting. The invention is limited only asdefined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer system configured to display a dynamicself-routing topology of an ad hoc network, the computer systemcomprising: a computer having a memory and a processor; a radiotransceiver configured to receive data from a plurality of devices inthe ad hoc network; a display unit coupled to said processor; and acomputer-readable medium configured to store software code, which, whensaid code is loaded into the memory and executed by said processor,causes said processor to: graphically display a floor plan obtained fromthe computer-readable medium for a building having the plurality ofdevices in the ad hoc network, said floor plan showing the rooms in thebuilding, obtain said data from the radio transceiver, determine eachcommunication link between the plurality of devices in the ad hocnetwork, and graphically display the dynamic self-routing topology ofthe ad hoc network on the display unit displaying the location of eachof the plurality of devices in the room within which it is located,displaying the actual path of communication between devices, anddisplaying unit information relating to the following characteristics ofeach device: a) identification number; b) signal strength; c) ahierarchal level within the ad hoc network; wherein said code furthercauses said processor to display the dynamic self-routing topology as aplurality of lines representing communication routing links betweendevices on the display unit; and wherein said plurality lines areupdated as data reflecting changes in the routing topology are receivedfrom devices in the ad hoc network.
 2. The computer system according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of arrowed lines include arrowedpolylines.
 3. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein saidunit information further includes: whether the access point or node isproperly connected to the ad hoc network; and a frequency indicating howoften a data transmission by the access point or node is lost.
 4. Thecomputer system according to claim 1, wherein said code further causessaid processor to determine whether a device in the plurality of devicesis an access point or a node.
 5. The computer system according to claim4, wherein said code further causes said processor to display symbols onthe display unit that represent access points and nodes in the ad hocnetwork.
 6. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein said codefurther causes said processor to predict and display the location of adevice based on the known location of other devices in the ad hocnetwork with which it communicates.
 7. The computer system according toclaim 1, wherein said code further causes said processor to monitor datapassing over the ad hoc network between devices.
 8. The computer systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said code further causes said processor tostore in said memory a history of data relating to the communicationlinks.
 9. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein saidgraphical display of the floor plan is a three dimensional rendering.10. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein when a physicallocation of a device in the building changes, said floor plan on saidgraphical display updates, upon the processor's receipt of informationindicating the location change, to show the device in the updatedlocation on the display.
 11. The computer system according to claim 1,wherein information on a device shown on said display updates each timesaid processor receives new information data.
 12. The computer systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said unit information further includes atleast one of a temperature in a room, a lighting condition in a room,and an energy usage value for a room.
 13. A computer system configuredto display a dynamic self-routing topology of an ad hoc network, thecomputer system comprising: a computer having a memory and a processor;a radio transceiver configured to receive data from a plurality ofdevices in the ad hoc network; a display unit coupled to said processor;and a computer-readable medium configured to store software code, which,when said code is loaded into the memory and executed by said processor,causes said processor to: create a floor plan for a building having theplurality of devices in the ad hoc network, said floor plan showing therooms in the building, obtain said data from the radio transceiver,determine each communication link between the plurality of devices inthe ad hoc network, and graphically display the dynamic self-routingtopology of the ad hoc network on the display unit displaying thelocation of each of the plurality of devices in the room within which itis located; wherein said code further causes said processor to displaythe dynamic self-routing topology as a plurality of lines representingcommunication routing links between devices on the display unit; andwherein said plurality of arrowed poly lines are updated as datareflecting changes in the routing topology are received from devices inthe ad hoc network.
 14. The computer system according to claim 13,wherein said plurality of arrowed lines include arrowed polylines. 15.The computer system according to claim 13, wherein said unit informationfurther includes: whether the access point or node is properly connectedto the ad hoc network; and a frequency indicating how often a datatransmission by the access point or node is lost.
 16. The computersystem according to claim 13, wherein said code further causes saidprocessor to determine whether a device in the plurality of devices isan access point or a node.
 17. The computer system according to claim16, wherein said code further causes said processor to display symbolson the display unit that represent access points and nodes in the ad hocnetwork.
 18. The computer system according to claim 13, wherein saidcode further causes said processor to predict and display the locationof a device based on the known location of other devices in the ad hocnetwork with which it communicates.
 19. The computer system according toclaim 18, wherein said code further causes said processor to monitordata passing over the ad hoc network between devices.
 20. The computersystem according to claim 13, wherein said graphical display of thefloor plan is a three dimensional rendering.
 21. The computer systemaccording to claim 13, wherein when a physical location of a device inthe building changes, said floor plan on said graphical display updates,upon the processor's receipt of information indicating the locationchange, to show the device in the updated location on the display. 22.The computer system according to claim 13, wherein information on adevice shown on said display updates each time said processor receivesnew information data.
 23. The computer system according to claim 13,wherein said unit information further includes at least one of atemperature in a room, a lighting condition in a room, and an energyusage value for a room.